Decision to Transform J&K into UT is ‘Temporary’, Says PM Modi

Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the decision to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory is “temporary” and the BJP -led government will restore the statehood to the region.

Throwing a harsh attack on the opposition Congress , National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he blamed them for ‘inflicting wounds’ on the people by depriving them of their rights.

The prime minister expressed it was the BJP , which has ended discrimination and was providing balm on the wounds of the victims of the three families.

Restoring Statehood Under BJP Rule

Addressing a massive election rally at M A M Stadium in the heart of Jammu a day before the conclusion of campaigning for the final phase of the assembly polls on October 1, Modi said the decision to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory is temporary.

“ BJP is the only party which will restore statehood to the region,” he reiterated.

Congress , NC, and PDP Blamed for Holding Back Development

Escalating his attack, the prime minister said “ Congress , NC and PDP are upset by the changes in Jammu and Kashmir because they do not like your development".

"They are saying they will form the government to revive the old system – the same discriminatory approach which led Jammu to be the biggest sufferer,” he added.

Decades of Injustice in Jammu Region

Modi said the Jammu region in particular faced "decades of injustice" at the hands of the three parties which not only defamed the Dogra legacy but also their rulers.

“The most corrupt Congress family was accusing the Dogra rulers of being corrupt," he said, adding it was the BJP which ended the “historic discrimination” and provided justice to the region during the last 10 years.

Educational and Health Infrastructure Boost

Referring to the setting up of various education and health institutions, including the IITs and AIIMS and infrastructure projects like tunnels, the prime minister said the Congress , NC and PDP inflicted “wounds on the people” by denying them of their rights but the BJP reached them, irrespective of their religion, and rubbed balm on their wounds by giving them voting rights, reservations and empowering women.

Promises of Economic Growth and Investment

“In coming times, Jammu's development will be further boosted. I want to tell the business community that the coming times will be full of opportunities for them,” he said, adding “Our efforts are on to bring more investment to Jammu and set up the industry to provide jobs to the local youth in their own districts”.

Every Youth of J&K Will Get Jobs, Says PM

The prime minister said that earlier people close to the Congress , NC and PDP were the only persons who were getting jobs but “now every youth of J&K will get his right and honour under the BJP 's rule”.

“In the past 60 to 65 years, this region witnessed only destruction… Leave aside development, every sphere of life suffered. Modi is working sincerely to fill up all those pits of the past and will not leave any opportunity to address your issues,” he said.

Modi also referred to the BJP ’s manifesto and the promises stating every section of the society, including Kashmiri migrant pandits, refugees and women, will get what is their right besides a big push will be given to boost tourism in the region by completing various projects and identifying new destinations.

Vibrant Village Project for Border Villages

“ Congress was considering border villages as the last villages of the country. We are treating such villages as first villages and are developing these under a vibrant village project,” he said, adding the Jammu ring road on completion will not only address the issue of traffic jams but also benefit the tehsils.

The prime minister said the electric buses are running on Jammu roads, the Jammu railway station is getting modernized, the Jammu airport is being expanded, the Bahu ropeway project was completed, while Tawi river front project is going to be a major attraction.

The development of Gharana wetland, Surinsar lake and border tourism is also before you, he added.

Empowering Women Through Self-Help Groups

Asserting the BJP wants the empowerment of women, Modi said, “We will continue our efforts to help self-help groups to make our sisters Lakhpati Didis in J&K. The women will also be given training and drones under the drone pilot scheme.” 

The campaigning for 40 assembly segments spread across seven districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir ended on Sunday evening. 

(With PTI inputs)