J&K assembly elections to be held by SC deadline: Amit Shah

Jammu, Apr 16: Union Home Minister and one of top star campaigners of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Amit Shah Tuesday reiterated that assembly elections would be held in consonance with the deadline fixed by the apex court and there should be no doubts about it.

“I assert here that we will conduct J&K (assembly) elections strictly following the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court. There is no scope for anyone to doubt this,” he said.

This, he stated, after enumerating the “achievements of BJP government during last ten years and revolutionary transformation in J&K brought about by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following abrogation of Article 370.”

Shah was addressing an election rally at Paloura, in support of BJP candidate from Jammu parliamentary constituency, Jugal Kishore Sharma.

As anticipated abrogation of Article 370 and benefits percolating thereafter formed the core of his over 25-minute address.

“I’ve come to appeal to ensure the victory of Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP candidate from Jammu. Remember, when you press the Lotus symbol button against Jugal Kishore’s name, your vote will ensure a third term for Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister,” he said.

PM REALISED MOOKERJEE’S MISSION BY ABROGATING ARTICLE 370

“As one entered Jammu and Kashmir, it would give goose-bumps to every BJP worker, fill them with awe-inspiring reverence, recalling that party’s first president Syama Prasad Mookerjee had sacrificed his life here. He had coined the slogan – Ek Desh Mein Do Vidhaan, Do Pradhan Aur Do Nishan Nahin Chalengey (There cannot be two constitutions; two Premiers and two emblems in one nation). When I came in 2014, we would raise this slogan as a demand. Today, the scenario has changed and we’re recalling it (slogan) with a sense of pride as we’ve accomplished this mission by repealing Article 370. Now like any other part of India, tricolour is proudly fluttering across J&K, gloriously touching the sky. By abrogating Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accomplished this mission, for which Mookerjee sacrificed his life and Prem Nath Dogra maintained momentum by launching an agitation,” Shah said.

PRAISES LG SINHA FOR ERADICATING CORRUPTION, EFFECTIVELY USING BUDGET

He lauded the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for effectively eradicating corruption by ensuring actual utilisation of the entire budget in a transparent, judicious manner.

“PM Narendra Modi has increased spending on healthcare, provided more resources. He has ensured that the entire budget, which was previously being consumed by the NC and PDP, is now being effectively utilized under the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor thereby eradicating corruption. The Modi government has provided transparent employment opportunities and removed those involved in terrorism from government positions. Now, no one dares to chant slogans of Pakistan, only chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" resonate in J&K. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought about this change in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

HOW ARTICLE 370 REPEAL BENEFITTED J&K

Referring to multitude of benefits that the “entire nation reaped under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, Shah emphasized that while the nation as a whole saw significant progress with initiatives like homes to the poor; 'Nal se Jal' scheme; access to sanitation facilities; distribution of free food grains, healthcare coverage up to Rs 5 lakh, and enhanced national pride, it's the people of Jammu and Kashmir who particularly benefitted the most.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, people suffered injustice. Our Valmiki brothers, the women, the OBCs, Pahari-Bakerwal-Gurjar (Gujjar) too did not get reservations. But the Narendra Modi government gave justice to all. The NC and the PDP used to provoke the Gujjar-Bakarwals that their reservations would be curtailed and given to the Paharis. I said in the Parliament that we would give justice to our Paharis without curtailing the benefits of the Gujjars. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP government worked towards providing reservation benefits to Gujjars, Paharis, Bakarwals, OBCs, Dalits and women,” Union Home Minister said.

“You made me wear a Dogra turban. Now, it is your responsibility to preserve the honour of the Dogra community. Long-standing demand of the armed forces for One Rank One Pension was fulfilled by the Modi government, whereas it was not addressed by previous Congress governments,” he said.

JAMMU CHARTING DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY

Shah underscored the significant developments in Jammu, including the establishment of four new medical colleges, 14 nursing colleges, and seven B.Sc paramedical colleges. “Prestigious institutions like IIT, IIM have been set up in Jammu while AIIMS in Vijaypur and a cancer hospital in Bakshi Nagar are coming up,” he said and noted the opening of 25 new degree colleges and two engineering colleges.

Shah highlighted the reversal in the trend of students leaving Jammu & Kashmir for education, now witnessing students from across the country coming to study in Jammu, attributing this transformation to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Home Minister further mentioned the forthcoming establishment of 18 industrial estates in Jammu, attracting investments worth thousands of crores. Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiatives like bringing 104 smart city schemes to Jammu. “First e-bus in the country by the central government was deployed in Jammu along with the dispatch of 75 e-buses. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Express Highway is under construction,” Shah said. He also highlighted progress in infrastructure projects like the Chamoti Drabshalla tunnel.

“90 percent of the work of the semi-ring road was completed. Construction of a four-lane road from Jammu to Poonch is one. This has alleviated hours of traffic congestion with the construction of flyovers. The creation of an artificial lake on the Tawi river will boost tourism. An ambitious project of constructing the world's largest 11 km tunnel in Jammu, too has been completed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. We are also developing the airports. Suchetgarh border post is being developed along the lines of Wagah,” Shah enlisted achievements.

REVOLUTIONARY TRANSFORMATION IN J&K 

Talking about transformation of J&K, he said that it was expected to facilitate the production of thousands of megawatts of hydroelectricity with an investment of Rs 30,000 Cr here (in Jammu & Kashmir).

“Soon train service will start from Jammu and Kashmir and the world’s longest train route, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari, as envisioned by Mookerjee, will also be in operation,” he said.

Shah stated that numerous irrigation schemes had been implemented by the government and there had been an increase of more than four times in the budget allocation for irrigation.

He highlighted that PM Narendra Modi brought Ayushman Bharat Yojana, providing complete healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for around 60 Cr impoverished people across the country.

“Modi government is currently covering the bill, with over 6 CR individuals undergoing surgeries, and the government spending over Rs 1 lakh Cr on this initiative. However, this scheme is not just for the poor throughout the country, it extends to everyone in Jammu and Kashmir.