Srinagar decorated with buntings, hoardings, flags

Srinagar, Mar 5:   Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and activists in Kashmir are brimming with enthusiasm, viewing the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a morale booster for their electioneering efforts.

This would be PM Modi’s maiden visit to Srinagar since the abrogation of Articles 370 and Article 35-A.

The welcome the PM, the BJP has adorned the entire city with welcome gates, banners, and hoardings.

The hoardings have been erected at scores of places in Srinagar including uptown areas, Zero Bridge, and several other places.

The BJP leaders said that they believe Article 370 and 35-A repeal brought relief to Kashmir, ending the era of daily strikes and disruptions imposed by secessionists and terrorist organisations, which had severely impacted Kashmir’s economy and daily life.

They attributed the newfound peace and stability in Kashmir to PM Modi’s policies.

The BJP leaders said that the normal functioning of schools, colleges, and universities since 2019 was a testament to the positive changes brought about by the Modi-led central government.

The BJP has set ambitious targets for the rally, aiming to bring in 10,000 people from each district, with the Srinagar district pledging to mobilise 20,000 attendees.

According to BJP leaders, several districts, especially in south Kashmir, are expected to surpass these targets.

BJP J&K spokesman, Altaf Thakur said that there is widespread enthusiasm among the Kashmiris to hear PM Modi speak.

Thakur praised the PM for addressing the concerns of farmers, craftsmen, and horticulturists in Kashmir through his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

BJP National Executive Member and Seh Prabhari in Kashmir, Rafiq Ahmad Wani said that there was a significant improvement in Kashmir since the abrogation of Articles 370 and Article 35-A.

He said that the increase in tourism and visits of prominent figures like Sachin Tendulkar, and Shah Rukh Khan was evidence of Kashmir’s progress under PM Modi’s leadership.

On Monday, BJP’s J&K President Ravinder Raina expressed joy over the PM’s visit, recalling the transformative impact of his earlier announcement Rs 80,000 crore development package for the region in 2014.

Raina said that due to this development package, there was an ongoing development in Kashmir including the establishment of AIIMS hospitals, construction of the Zojila tunnel, and overall improvement in infrastructure and healthcare facilities.