‘NC-Congress trying to implement Pak agenda in J&K’

Jammu, Sep 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress and National Conference of “desiring to implement Pakistan’s agenda in J&K by resolving to restore Article 370 and 35-A.”

He, however, dared them that they would never be allowed to do so by him and his party.

“I dare them. Modi and his party will not allow them or anyone to implement the agenda of Pakistan (here in J&K). No power on this earth can bring back Article 370. For the BJP, nothing is bigger than our country. And our agenda is all-inclusive development of the country,” PM Modi said.

He was addressing a rally at Katra – his second rally during the day in J&K. Before it, he addressed a rally at Srinagar- his maiden rally in Kashmir province during ongoing assembly elections. Appealing to people to vote for BJP to fail this “agenda of National Conference, Congress”, he asked them (people) to remain very cautious of the duo’s moves.

“Every vote to Congress will help implement NC and PDP’s manifesto which talks of restoration of Article 370. It means they want to revive the era of death and destruction here. J&K may not be very enthusiastic about NC and Congress but the neighbouring country is very raved about them. They (NC, Congress) are getting a lot of traction there. Inke Alliance Ki Balle Balle Ho Rahi Hai Pakistan Mein (Their alliance is receiving accolades there in Pakistan). Pakistan is very happy with their manifesto. Pakistan’s Defence Minister has openly supported their manifesto. He stated that the agenda of Congress and NC on Articles 370 and 35-A is the same as that of Pakistan,” PM Modi said.

He stated that Congress, NC were exposed by Pakistan. “They (NC and Congress) want to implement Pakistan’s agenda, which destroyed generations of J&K and spilled blood here. Now NC and Congress want to implement it again. For decades, they did what pleased the master of terrorism i.e., Pakistan. Now they want to implement it again. I’ll not let it happen with your support. Vote for us,” he urged the electorate.

“Our biggest priority is the development of the country. You have to ensure the BJP government, which gives guarantee and realises it on the ground; the BJP government which walks its talk,” he said.

ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2024 TO DECIDE J&K’S FATE

PM Modi, who began his address chanting religious slogans, stated that the J&K assembly elections aimed at deciding the future of J&K and taking “Naya Jammu and Kashmir” to the heights of glory.

He asked the electorate to ensure the downfall of the political legacy of three dynastic parties - Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which, he alleged, gave perpetual wounds to J&K and ruined it.

“Ensure BJP government this time as it’s only BJP for which J&K people and their interests always figured as its (BJP’s) topmost priority. Our party ended discrimination being meted out to people here for decades. We connected Jammu through development. Congress, NC and PDP meted out step-motherly treatment to Reasi and Udhampur,” the PM said.

He said that the Chenab bridge proposal was cleared during former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s government.

“Congress sat on the proposal. You brought Modi to power and now this magnificent bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower, is ready. Katra is a witness to the work culture of the BJP. When we decided to run a semi high-speed train like Vande-Bharat, the first among those trains was Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat. Now two such trains run between Katra-New Delhi,” he said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the distance between Jammu and Srinagar was reduced. “We are trying to bring J&K among the most connected states of the country. Work on the Delhi-Katra Expressway is on. It will benefit the horticulturists of J&K. Now J&K water is being used for the benefit of its farmers and youth. During the tenure of the NC and Congress regime, even the water, exclusively meant for India (under the Indus Water Treaty) was allowed to flow across the border. They had no courage to construct big dams,” PM Modi said, targeting Congress and NC.

He said that Congress could not progress even in the case of Shahpur Kandi dam, letting thousands of hectares of land go dry in Kathua and other arid areas of the Jammu region.

“BJP completed this project. At present four power projects viz., Pakal Dul, Kiru, Ratle and Kwar projects are being constructed in Jammu region. They aim at not only generating power but also employment opportunities,” he said.

Stating that health services too improved during the BJP regime, he said, “Modi fulfilled his promises made to you. Reasi got a District Hospital and a Medical College building is being constructed in Udhampur. All J&K citizens are getting free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under the Auyshman card scheme. BJP has resolved to give free health treatment up to Rs 7 lakh, after coming to power. Rail connectivity has been enhanced.”

Enlisting achievements, he said that 2 Cr tourists visited J&K and 95 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi last year. “Tourism boom is in offing,” he said while enumerating different tourism projects completed and underway in the Jammu region.

He recalled moments of relishing the “Kalari” (special delicacy) of Udhampur, stating that it, along with Basohli Pashmina, got a GI tag during the BJP government.

“Now their demand would be on the rise. BJP is committed to the overall development of Jammu region, deprived by NC, Congress and PDP,” PM Modi said.

He also mentioned that para-athletes Rakesh and Sheetal, whose talent was honed at Katra, brought honour to India at the international level with their achievements.

“To create opportunities for the youth of J&K is Modi’s Sankalp and I’m working. Trio of NC, Congress and PDP destroyed the future of youth. Their sins not only burnt Kashmir with their wrong policies but also pushed Jammu to the vortex of terrorism and its advantage was taken by the enemies sitting across the border,” he reiterated.

“A few months ago, pilgrims became victims of a cowardly terrorist attack. I salute the spirit of Vijay Kumar, who laid down his life to save pilgrims. This reminds us that the demolition of the wall of Art 370 has weakened terrorism and separatism here. J&K is marching forward to attain permanent peace. With your support, J&K will be free from terrorism,” the Prime Minister said.

“We have mentioned our road map in our manifesto. We have resolved to bring a white paper on terrorism to provide justice to all its victims, after coming to power. Appeasement policy of NC, Congress and PDP. Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs have suffered a lot. BJP has announced a special rehabilitation package for them,” he said and lauded the working of Village Defence Guards (VDGs).

“They are doing a good job. We are working to provide them with more facilities,” he said.

With regard to the Baridars of Katra, PM Modi said, “I understand the issues of the Baridars here in Katra. We have taken steps to ameliorate their plight and redress their grievances,” he said.

While enlisting steps taken for them, he assured that the BJP would take all desired steps to address their (Baridars’) issues.