J&K Assembly elections in September: Union Minister Reddy

R S Pura, Aug 5: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday said that the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in September.

Addressing the 'Ekatma Mahotsav' rally at Bana Singh Stadium, Reddy urged the people of J&K to vote for the BJP to sustain the development momentum and eradicate terrorism.

Reddy highlighted that the activities of Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI had been significantly curtailed in J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on August 5, 2019.

Reddy, the BJP's election in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, emphasised that the abrogation of Article 370 had led to the extension of B R Ambedkar's constitution to J&K, bringing about substantial changes.

He criticised opposition parties, particularly the Congress and the National Conference, for advocating the reinstatement of Article 370, which he claimed had only brought “death and destruction” to the region.

“The Assembly elections will be held in September, and we are confident that the people will vote for the BJP with a full majority given the positive changes brought by the revocation of Article 370,” Reddy stated.

He condemned the opposition, saying, “People must choose between a government that talks about Article 370 or a BJP-led government committed to taking J&K to new heights of development, peace, and prosperity.”

Terming the abrogation of Article 370 as a "proud moment" for the country and the people of J&K, Reddy said it was a foundational change laid by Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee, who sacrificed his life opposing the controversial constitutional provision.

"After a long struggle, the people of J&K have finally been freed from Article 370, leading to rights for women and other deprived sections of society. A new J&K has emerged where terrorism, stone-pelting, hoisting of Pakistani flags, and an insult to the tricolour are history," he said.

Reddy warned that voting for the Congress and NC could lead to a resurgence of terrorism and separatism, insisting that the BJP was the only party capable of ensuring peace by thwarting Pakistan and its sponsored terrorists.

Regarding recent terror activities in the Jammu region, he said, “We want to warn Pakistan that we will not allow terrorism to grow in J&K despite its continuous efforts. We will completely eradicate terrorism and protect our people...we are ready to die for the country.”