Prime Minister Modi attacks Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference in Doda

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]September 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be a battle between “three dynasties” and the youth of the Union Territory.

He named the Congress, the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as the three dynasties whose corrupt practices had “hollowed out” and “destroyed” Jammu and Kashmir.

“This year, the Jammu and Kashmir parliamentary elections are between the dynasties and the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” Prime Minister Modi said at his first rally in the former poll-bound state.

“These three families are responsible for the dire situation in which JK has been for decades. They have indulged in corruption and made people struggle for their basic needs. These families have laid the foundation for terrorism and extremism in the valley. They have provided a safe haven for the spread of terrorism for personal gain,” the Prime Minister said.

“On one side, there are these three dynasties and on the other, my sons and daughters of Jammu and Kashmir. These three dynasties are – the Congress, the National Conference and the PDP. What these three dynasties have done along with all of you is nothing short of a sin. These three families have prepared the necessary ground for separatism and terrorism here. Who has benefited from this? The enemies of the nation. They have harbored terrorism so that their multi-million dollar businesses can continue to flourish. They are responsible for ruining Jammu and Kashmir for decades,” said Prime Minister Modi.

The Prime Minister promised that his government will make Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous country and said this is Modi's guarantee. “I see our sisters and daughters have come here in large numbers to bless us. I am grateful to all of you. I will reciprocate your love and blessings by working twice and thrice as hard for you and the country. Together we will make Jammu and Kashmir a safe and prosperous country and this is Modi's guarantee,” said Prime Minister Modi.

The Prime Minister further stated that the parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir would decide the fate of the Union Territory.

“This time, elections in Jammu and Kashmir will decide the fate of JK. Since independence, our beloved JK has been the target of foreign powers. After that, 'Pariwarwad' started eroding this beautiful state. The political parties you trusted here did not care about your children. These political parties only promoted their own children. The youth of JK have suffered from terrorism and the parties promoting 'Pariwarwad' enjoyed misleading you. These people have never allowed new leaders to emerge anywhere in JK. You also know that no panchayat elections were held here after 2000,” said Prime Minister Modi.

He further said, “'Pariwarwad' did not allow the youth to get involved and that is why after coming to power in 2014, I tried to build a new leadership of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir.” “Panchayat elections were held here in 2018. BDC elections were held in 2019 and DDC elections were held for the first time in 2020. Why were these elections held? So that democracy reaches the grassroots in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The Prime Minister was referring to a statement made by the then Congress Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in which he said he was afraid to visit Lal Chowk. “There was a time when there was an unannounced curfew in the evening. The situation was such that the Union Home Minister was afraid to visit Lal Chowk,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi referred to the changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years and said that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is on its last gasp. He referred to the changing situation of stone pelting and said that the time has come for the development of the region.

“Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is on its last breath. The changes we have witnessed here in the last ten years are nothing short of a dream. The stones that were once picked up to throw at the police and army are now being used to build a new Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that he wants to ensure that every child in Jammu and Kashmir has access to a quality education.

“In recent years, the BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir has opened several schools and colleges to improve the situation of the youth. The long-standing demand for a medical college in Doda was also recently fulfilled by the BJP government,” he said.

He further said that the determination and support of BJP can bring peace, prosperity and security to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Ensure that our candidates win with an overwhelming mandate and ensure a better future for all in the valley. Every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion, region and cultural affiliation, is a priority for the BJP government. I guarantee that I will protect your rights. Only the BJP can strengthen the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, people had cheered Prime Minister Modi and given him an enthusiastic welcome upon his arrival in Doda amid heightened security.

Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled for September 18, September 25 and October 1, with vote counting to take place on October 8.

The assembly elections will be held in the first phase for eight parliamentary seats in three districts – Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban – and voting will take place on September 18.

Jammu and Kashmir is holding elections for the first time in ten years, as the last parliamentary elections were held in 2014. Jammu and Kashmir has 90 constituencies, including seven for Chief Ministers and nine for Deputy Chief Ministers.

According to the Election Commission of India, there are 8.806 million eligible voters in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the last general elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) won 15 and the Congress 12.

The PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in June 2018 when it withdrew its support from then Prime Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)