NC, PDP, Congress destroyed J&K, betrayed people: Athawale

Srinagar, Sep 26: Union Minister for Social Justice and leader of the Republican Party of India (RPI), Ram Das Athawale Thursday said that over 90 percent of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir had been eradicated following the abrogation of Article 370.

Addressing a news conference here, Athawale attributed this achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to revoke the erstwhile State’s special status in August 2019, crediting it for the dramatic improvement in security and development in J&K.

“More than 90 percent terrorism has been eradicated after PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in J&K,” he said. “J&K is progressing steadily with ongoing developmental projects in various sectors.”

Athwale, the President of RPI, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said that the significance of this move was in combating terrorism, restoring peace, and pushing forward J&K’s growth trajectory.

He was also critical of regional political parties in J&K, including the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Congress. Athwale alleged that these parties had “destroyed” J&K and “betrayed” its people by fostering separatist sentiments during their decades-long governance.

He said that it was their policies that had contributed to the instability and stagnation of J&K prior to the NDA government’s intervention.

“NC, PDP, and Congress have destroyed J&K by promoting separatism and failing the people,” Athawale said, adding PM Modi had assured the restoration of statehood to J&K.

Athawale said that his party has fielded candidates in four key constituencies – Rajpora, Baramulla, Sonawari, and Gulmarg.

He expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of these candidates, emphasising that if any RPI candidate wins, they would support the BJP government in forming a stable administration.

“Our party will work to promote tourism, build hospitals, roads, and bridges,” Athawale said.

He promised that if elected, RPI would tackle pressing issues like high electricity bills, provide jobs to unemployed youth, and combat the drug menace, which has become a concern in J&K.

Athawale urged the voters of J&K to back his party's candidates, assuring them that the RPI would work towards rehabilitating the youth who had previously engaged in militancy but were seeking a path toward a peaceful future.

He stressed that the party was committed to ensuring stability, growth, and prosperity for the people of J&K.