PM dares Congress to restore Article 370

Udhampur, Apr 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday dared all political parties, mainly Congress, to “announce to restore Article 370 to prove their mettle in the electoral arena, if they've courage to do so.”

While addressing an election rally at Modi stadium here to seek public support for BJP candidates Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma, he said, “With your (people’s) blessings, Modi not only demolished the wall of Article 370 but even its debris was deep buried under the soil. I challenge every political party (opposed to abrogation of Article 370), mainly Congress to announce to bring back Article 370. You (Congress) do it and the people would never see your face again.”

“For the sake of power, they had created so many misperceptions that there would be devastation all around if it (Article 370) was abrogated and we (India) would lose J&K. But the youth of J&K have shown them the mirror by exposing the hollowness of their claims. As their devious plans failed here in J&K, they are spreading canards in other parts of the country. They are claiming that abrogation of Article 370 did not incur any benefits".

MODI FULFILLED HIS GUARANTEES TO J&K

Earlier, he reiterated that Modi’s guarantee was the guarantee of fulfilment of guarantee. “In 2014, after paying obeisance to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, I had given you a guarantee to free J&K from terrorism, separatism and other related problems plaguing it for the last 60 years or so. I fulfilled my guarantee. This (2024) will be the first-ever Lok Sabha election wherein terrorism, secessionism, stone-pelting, border-firing etc., are not election issues,” he said.

“Earlier to ensure safe conduct of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi and Shri Amarnath Yatra would be a matter of concern. Now, J&K is witnessing development and trust is also growing. Government has been able to restore the confidence of people. Transformation is visible in every sector. This election is not merely to elect MPs, but to elect a strong government. When the government is strong, it can take a challenge to tackle challenges. Ten years ago, I had asked you to trust me and had given you guarantees. In the last ten years, we have tightened the noose around terrorists and the corrupt. During the next five years, we will further strengthen our gains so that J&K can scale new heights of development. Biggest change in J&K is that the mind of people is changing,” Modi said.

WHAT PEOPLE IN J&K GOT?

Enlisting what people in J&K got as PM fulfilled his guarantees, the Prime Minister said that he had given guarantees for women’s dignity. “Lakhs of J&K’s poor people are getting free ration; free treatment for Rs 5 lakh; electricity in far-off areas; 75 percent houses have got piped water besides there’s digital connectivity in the majority of J&K. Congress governments lingered on Shahpur Kandi dam project and Ravi water was flowing to Pakistan. We completed this project which would benefit Jammu region’s farmers besides electricity generated would also light up thousands of houses,” he said.

DYNASTIC POLITICS DAMAGED J&K

The Prime Minister, while targeting Congress, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated that their dynastic politics caused irreparable damage to J&K.

“Their politics fits the definition which means politics of the family, by the family and for the family. Modi is giving guarantees of developed J&K but they are talking to take J&K back to its regressive past. For their selfish interests, they had created the wall of Article 370 which I demolished. Now they are asking about its benefits. If they want to know about its benefits, they should ask women of J&K; Valmikis; Gadda Brahmins; Kolis, Paharis, Paddris and other deprived sections how it benefitted them,” Modi said.