People rejected parties sympathizing with stone-pelters, terrorists: PM
Shadow Correspondent
Katra (Reasi), Sep 19:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and NC alliance following remarks by Pakistan’s defence minister regarding Article 370 and accused the coalition of pursuing the neighbouring country’s agenda.
Modi claimed that Pakistan’s agenda fosters violence and unrest.
The prime minister asserted that Article 370 cannot be reinstated in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that “no power on Earth can bring back Article 370”.
His attack came after Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif revealed that his country, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress are on one page on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the restoration of statehood.
“You must stay vigilant. You have to be cautious. Every vote for the Congress facilitates the implementation of the manifestos of the National Conference and the PDP. What are they announcing?
“They will restore Article 370 and bring back the era of violence and bloodshed. Maybe there is no enthusiasm about the alliance of the National Conference and Congress here, but the neighbouring country is very excited. ‘Unki balle balle Pakistan mein ho rahi hai’ (They are being celebrated in Pakistan),” Modi declared at a massive rally in Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine.
The prime minister pointed out Pakistan’s open support for Congress and NC, and said, “Nobody talks about them here, but they are in currency there. Pakistan is happy with their manifesto. Pakistan’s defence minister has openly supported the Congress and the National Conference.
“He said the agenda of the National Conference and the Congress on Article 370 and 35-A is the same as that of Pakistan. This is what their ministers are saying,” he said.
Modi said Pakistan itself has exposed the NC and the Congress, showing that the two parties want to implement the bordering country’s agenda here.
“The agenda of Pakistan, which has destroyed generations and bled us in Jammu and Kashmir, is being implemented by these people here. The Congress and the NC have worked in a direction for decades that suited Pakistan,” he said.
Addressing his second rally of the day in support of BJP candidates in the newly formed Shri Vaishnodevi constituency in Reasi district, Modi said, “They (Congress-NC alliance) aim to revive Pakistan’s old agenda. Today, they want to implement the same old agenda of Pakistan.”
Sending a clear message to Pakistan, he said, “Modi wants to convey to them in stern language that we will not allow Pakistan’s agenda
Modi hits out at
to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. No power on Earth can bring back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The prime minister addressed a rally early in the day in Srinagar summer capital. It was after 10 long years that Modi addressed a rally in Katra, where he had flagged off train service in July 2014.
Modi emphasised the BJP’s commitment to national development, urging voters to support a government dedicated to this cause.
“For the BJP, there is nothing as big as the country. Our priority is the development of the country. You have to vote for a government here that is committed to its promises,” he added.
Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif sparked a political controversy by claiming that the Pak government and the Congress-National Conference alliance were on the same page regarding the restoration of statehood and special status in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asif’s remarks came amid the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the first since the abrogation of the state’s special status by the Narendra Modi-led government in 2019.
“Pakistan and the National Conference-Congress alliance are aligned on restoring special status and statehood in Jammu and Kashmir,” Asif said during an interview with a private Pakistani TV channel, adding that there was a high chance the alliance could win the assembly polls and come to power.
Meanwhile, After attacking the “three families of NC, Congress, PDP” for “destruction of Jammu and Kashmir” during his visit to the Union Territory to campaign for the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday continued the scathing attack on the parties in Jammu’s Katra where he also targeted Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi at a campaign rally in Katra. In his opening remarks at the rally, PM Modi said, “The three families of Congress, NC and PDP gave only wounds to this region (Jammu). You will have to bring the curtains down on their political legacies and press on the lotus button. It is the BJP which prioritises your causes and has ended the seven-decade-long discrimination with you”.
Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks During US Visit
Besides attacking the “three families of NC, Congress and PDP”, PM Modi also launched a scathing attack against Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi over his alleged remarks against Hindu deities during the latter’s recent US visit.
“This region is our identity of culture and faith, so such a government is needed which respects faith our and culture. But for a few votes, Congress puts our culture and faith at stake. The heir of the Congress’ royal family has said during his foreign visit said that our deities are not gods,” PM Modi said.
“It is a tradition that our gods and godesses are worshipped in every village, but Congress leaders claim that they are not gods and godesses. DO you agree? Isn’t this disrespect of our deities, should such people be punished?” he said.
“Congress leaders don’t inadvertently say this, it is a well planned conspiracy and part of Naxalite ideology imported from foreign countries and ideologies. Congress has been taken over by this Naxalite thinking. With this Naxalite thinking, Congress attacked Dogra culture (in Jammu),” he said. PM Modi also criticized the Congress, accusing its leadership of undermining Dogra heritage and promoting divisiveness under the guise of love. He accused the Congress, National Conference, and PDP of neglecting Jammu & Kashmir’s welfare, and called for the people to support BJP in the upcoming elections to bring about change.
Developmental Projects
Referring to development projects, PM Modi mentioned that Congress and the National Conference had “neglected regions like Reasi and Udhampur”. He highlighted that the Chenab Bridge, which was initially approved during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, had been delayed by Congress. However, under his leadership, it has become a significant attraction and a symbol of progress, he said.
Kashmir Rally
Earlier, addressing a BJP election rally at the Sheri Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar ahead of the 2nd phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections, PM Modi, in an apparent attack on the Congress, NC and PDP, said that the three families had built their political careers at the cost of ruining the future of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Greets People In Kashmiri
The PM, in a bid to connect with the locals in Kashmir, greeted the audience in Kashmiri saying “myanen saarni Kashir bayan te benen chu namaskar, kya haal chaal chu”(Namaskar to all my Kashmiri brothers and sisters. How are you doing?)
“Today you have turned up in such a large number, the enthusiastic youth, peace-loving elderly men and crowds of mothers and sisters-this is new Kashmir,” he said.
Targets NC, PDP, Congress
The PM’s speech centred around the attack on the NC, PDP and Congress. He said that the three families were responsible for the destruction of Jammu and Kashmir.
“They think how can anyone question them, they think to anyhow grab the chair and then loot you is their birth right and think that to deprive people from their rights is their political right. They have only given fear and uncertainty to the people. But now people are not going to fall in their trap. Now youth here is challenging them,” the PM said.
“The youth whose careers were cut short by them, the same youth have now jumped into the battlefield to challenge them. The sufferings of the people during the rule of these families has been brushed under the carpet. Youth have been deprived from education. Many have lagged behind their counterparts in the rest of the country. This is not that youth of Jammu and Kashmir failed but this is because Congress, NC, PDP families failed. They kept their political shops running to spread hatred. The fire which burnt schools in Kashmir is of the hatred from their shops,” the PM said.
‘Three Families Suppressed Grassroot Democracy’
Targeting the NC, PDP and Congress, PM Modi said that the three families suppressed the grassroot democracy evident from their aversion to holding Panchayat, BDC and DDC elections to ensure grassroot representation to the people.
“These three families rejoiced handing stones in the youth’s hands. They ruined the careers of youth for their own benefit,” the PM said.
Free Electricity If BJP Voted To Power, Statehood At Appropriate Time
The PM said that the BJP if voted to power in Jammu and Kashmir, will provide free electricity to the people. Besides, the Rs 5 lakh cap on the Golden Card scheme will be raised to Rs 7 lakh, he added. The PM said that the BJP government will restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir as promised on the floor of the Parliament.
Amid tight security arrangements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Srinagar on Thursday to address a mega election rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonwar in Srinagar as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ongoing election campaign. The PM is scheduled to visit Jammu for another election rally to seek votes for the BJP candidates.
The rally venue and roads leading to it have been decorated with lights and BJP flags, setting the stage for the Prime Minister’s address. Security arrangements have been tightened across the city to ensure the event goes smoothly.
“We have made elaborate security arrangements for the VVIP visit. Elections and VVIP visits are connected. All measures are in place,” said V K Birdhi, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir.
This marks Modi’s first election rally in Srinagar during the BJP’s campaign for the ongoing Assembly Elections in the union territory, which are being held after a decade and for the first time after abrogation of Article 370, which gave a special status to the erstwhile J&K state.
Ahead of his Jammu and Kashmir visit, PM Modi took to X to update people about it.
“I look forward to being among the people of Jammu and Kashmir today. Will address a rally in Srinagar and Katra. Yesterday’s turnout has shown that the people of J&K are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant,” the PM wrote.
Earlier, on September 14, PM Modi addressed a rally in Doda district of Jammu. BJP workers across Kashmir have been mobilized to attend the event. Later today, the Prime Minister will also visit Jammu Katra to continue the party’s election efforts.
