Jammu will decide next Govt in J&K: Home Minister

Jammu, Sep 07: Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah Saturday launched Bharatiya Janata Party’s high-octane Assembly poll campaign with a strong pitch for politically empowering its stronghold, stating that the route to power in J&K would flow from Jammu, unlike the past practice.

“Jammu would be the fulcrum, setting the tone for political narrative and deciding about the government formation in J&K. Gone are the days when someone else would take a call as to how and who would form the government here (in J&K). Now the people of Jammu would decide as to who would form the next government in J&K. The government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured it by abrogating Article 370,” Shah said, while addressing a rally of BJP Booth workers in Jammu, in the last leg of his two-day visit to Jammu for electioneering.

In the same pitch, targetting his party’s number one bête-noire Congress-National Conference combine, the Union Home Minister accused them of plotting to revive terrorism, promote secessionism yet again with their decisive agenda. “Their agenda aimed at destabilising the Jammu region and disturbing peace here again. Is it acceptable to you?” he asked.

Referring to National Conference’s manifesto, he reiterated that the party in tacit agreement with its alliance partner Congress wanted to scrap reservation accorded to Dalits, Gujjars, Paharis, OBCs by BJP, post Article 370.

“They (Congress-NC) also want to snatch rights of women and refugees, given to them by BJP. But let me tell Rahul Gandhi – ‘Do whatever you can do and use whatever resources you have at your disposal, BJP will never allow you to touch reservations granted to Dalits, Gujjars, Paharis, OBCs or snatch rights granted to women and refugees.’ This is our unflinching resolve,” Shah said.

He urged people of Jammu to vote only for BJP, which could secure their rights by not allowing “Congress, NC and Peoples Democratic Parties (PDP) like dynastic parties to snatch them and bring back the era of violence, terrorism, separatism and discrimination.” “Strengthen hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who restored your honour and ended discrimination and injustice. Ensure formation of a government dedicated to your welfare so that you don’t need to go to Srinagar with a begging bowl,” he appealed to Jammu voters.

While wooing Jammu people, he had a word of caution for Kashmir region also. “You gave a mandate to the National Conference a number of times. Whenever the people of the valley entrusted power to Farooq Abdullah and his family, they would often go to England. The youth of the valley suffered due to terrorism and many among them lost their lives. Elect anyone but don’t elect Congress or the National Conference again as their agenda would be to reintroduce terrorism to Kashmir and halt the ongoing development,” he warned.

“If the NC comes to power, terrorism will return; however, under the BJP, no one will be able to spread terrorism or separatism in the region,” Shah assured.

“This upcoming election is truly historic. For the first time since India's independence, voters in Jammu and Kashmir will cast their votes under one flag, with one constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. BJP ensured that there would not be two Prime Ministers in J&K. There is only one Prime Minister elected by the entire nation i.e., our beloved Narendra Modi,” he said.

“It’s heartening that the party’s election campaign in J&K is beginning on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi and we all worship Lord Ganesha as the deity who removes all obstacles and blesses with success, peace and prosperity,” he stated.

He said that all BJP candidates had placed their trust in the people of their constituencies. “The opposition should not only be defeated but the people should also ensure they lose their deposits as well. Due to the sacrifice of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the movement of Pandit Premnath Dogra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi eventually abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019,” he said.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation remarked that BJP’s immense strength was clearly visible as booth workers from just 13 assembly seats filled the venue, with a massive crowd gathered outside as well.

Shah stated that this election was taking place for the first time without the shadow of Article 370. “We've already seen its impact during the Lok Sabha elections. In the past, even a 10 percent voter turnout in Lok Sabha elections in the valley would be seen as an achievement. This time without hesitation or hindrance, a record 58.47 percent voter turnout was registered in the recent Lok Sabha elections, marking a significant victory for democracy,” Shah said.

“There are many speculations in the media, but let it be clear that the BJP will contest this election with full might and will emerge victorious, without a doubt. The Modi government has done significant developmental work in the past 10 years. The BJP’s basic unit is its workers and the party’s biggest strength is its Booth Presidents, not any leader,” he said.

Union Home Minister stated that for 70 years, people had to fight for their development and rights, pleading and struggling through agitations, including for months for the Baba Amarnath Yatra. “But now, the day has come when the people of Jammu no longer need to hold any agitations.  PM Narendra Modi is fulfilling every wish of the people. Record numbers of pilgrims have visited Jammu and Kashmir for Baba Amarnath Yatra without fear. This influx has significantly transformed and boosted the region's tourism,” he said.

He entrusted every BJP worker to ensure that “every vote is cast at the voting booth by 7 pm on election day, leaving no vote unaccounted for.” “Every BJP worker should bring his family and three additional families to the polling booth before 11.30 am and ensure they vote for the “Lotus” symbol. If every BJP worker ensures this, no one can defeat the BJP in this election,” he added.

Union Home Minister stated that the Modi government addressed the long-standing reservation demands of the Gujjars, Paharis, and backward communities. “The NC, Congress, and PDP seek to revoke this reservation, and only the Bharatiya Janata Party can safeguard it. Kashmir suffered from terrorism for many years. There were governments in Kashmir that ignored the issue of terrorism and some individuals would take on the role of Chief Minister during peaceful times but go back to Delhi when terrorism escalated,” he stated, taking a dig at NC leadership.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ten-year tenure, terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir reduced by up to 70 percent, he said.

The Union Home Minister highlighted that after many years, the Amarnath Yatra was conducted safely, with 5 lakhs people visiting the shrine. Late-night theatre began in the valley, processions like the Taziya were held, and many other pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir concluded peacefully.

“If a government formed by Congress, PDP or NC comes to power, terrorism would also resurface. The people of Jammu and Kashmir needed to decide whether they wanted to continue facing terrorism or embrace peace, stability, and development,” he cautioned.

BJP's Jammu and Kashmir Assembly candidates, Jammu and Kashmir election in-charge G Kishan Reddy, Tarun Chugh, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, MP Jugal Kishore and other senior BJP leaders were present on stage.

Shah emphasized that the BJP successfully conducted the Panchayat elections, which had been blocked by three families. Furthermore, the BJP launched development projects in Jammu with an investment exceeding Rs 32,000 Cr. It was also under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Jammu and Kashmir was granted AIIMS, IITs and IIMs.

“Numerous colleges have been established and with an investment of Rs 25,200 crore, hydropower projects generating over 3,000 megawatts will be implemented. This will generate revenue for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has improved the electricity infrastructure in Jammu and undertaken numerous development projects,” he said.

“Rumours are in circulation that an NC government will be there in Jammu and Kashmir; but neither an NC nor a Congress government would ever come to power there. These are the same people who, after the merger of Jammu and Kashmir, expelled Maharaja Hari Singh from Jammu and prevented his return. For years, they did not observe a holiday for Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party honoured Hari Singh, who was instrumental in Jammu and Kashmir's merger with India, by declaring it (Maharaja’s birth anniversary) a holiday,” he said.

Shah pointed out that Congress, NC, and PDP had been so corrupt that their corruption was equivalent to the corruption seen across the entire country. “If such a significant amount of money had been invested in the development of Jammu and Kashmir, there would be no work left to be done in the state today,” he claimed. Shah said, “The BJP has announced that under the 'Maa Samman Yojana,' the senior-most woman in each household would receive Rs 18,000 annually for her livelihood. Beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana will be provided with two free LPG cylinders each year. In line with Jammu and Kashmir’s reservation policy, Agniveers from the state will be given priority without impacting the general quota.”

He stated that Rs 6000 provided by the Prime Minister to each farmer would be supplemented with an additional Rs 4,000 from the state. Tourism in the state would be developed, and the electricity rates for agricultural activities would be reduced by 50 percent. Metro services would be launched in both Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, 1,000 temples that have fallen into disrepair would be renovated.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party is committed to the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to restore the honour of Jammu. Inform the public about Congress and National Conference’s agenda to once again plunge Jammu and Kashmir into misery and terror until the date of voting,” he asked party workers.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister appealed for the support of BJP candidates to secure a decisive victory and form a BJP government with a strong majority, ensuring the continuation of development in the state.