Shah launched a scathing attack on opposition parties during an election rally in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir National Convention (NC) and Congressaccused them of promoting Terror Shah reiterated that there will be no talks or trade with Pakistan until terrorism is completely eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir.
Criticising the opposition, Shah said, “They say they will hold talks with Pakistan. I want to make it clear that until we completely eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, we will not hold any talks with Pakistan. They want to start LoC trade… the same LoC trade which gave rise to terrorism here. I want to tell Omar Abdullah that until terrorism is rooted out from here, we will not start any trade with Pakistan.”
Shah’s remarks come at a time when the Union Territory is set to have its first assembly Election One of the leaders who got the most votes in a decade. Shah clearly drew the battle lines and said that the election is between the two parties. BJP and an alliance between the Congress and the National Conference.
Shah said, “The election is between two forces. On one side, they pushed Jammu and Kashmir into the fire of terrorism for their political gain, more than 40,000 people were martyred here. I want to ask Farooq (Abdullah) sahab and Rahul Gandhi, will they take responsibility for 35 years of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir? They will not take responsibility.”
Accusing the opposition of promoting terrorism, Shah said, “The Congress-National Conference alliance has always been a promoter of terrorism… In the 1990s, when Farooq Abdullah was the CM, you were elected after a compromise with Rajiv Gandhi. Where were you when the Kashmir Valley was soaked in blood due to terrorism?… You went to London for summer vacation. Nehru, Gandhi and the Abdullah family spread terrorism here and now they want your blessings again. They boycotted Kashmiri Pandits, spread terrorism and delayed reservation. Do you want the same NC-Congress again?”
He further said that as long as BJP remains in power, no one will be able to reinstate it. Article 370,
Shah said, “This election is between those who removed Article 370 and those who brought Article 370. I want to ask the Gujjars and Paharis what did Article 370 give you in the last 70 years? Due to Article 370, Gujjars, Paharis, Dalits and women of Jammu and Kashmir did not get the benefit of reservation. PM Modi gave reservation to Paharis, OBCs and Dalits without touching the reservation of Gujjars. For 70 years, they ruled Jammu and Kashmir, but why were panchayat elections never held? PM Modi conducted gram panchayat, block panchayat and district panchayat elections in just 10 years.”
Highlighting the efforts of the government, Shah said, “PM Modi strengthened democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. I want to ask Farooq Abdullah: Your three generations ruled, but did the people of Jammu and Kashmir ever get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh? Modi ji provided free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to everyone from the valley to the plains. Abdullah’s family ruled Jammu and Kashmir for three generations. Did anyone get 5 kg free rice during their rule? PM Modi has delivered rice to every household.”
Shah also questioned the Abdullah family’s efforts to improve infrastructure, especially under the “Tap Water in Every Home” scheme.
Shah said, “If BJP forms the government, we are committed to the development of Jammu region, Rajouri and Poonch. They (Abdullah-Gandhi) say that if they come to power, all those jailed on terrorism charges will be released. Once Abdullah, Gandhi and Mufti are defeated, we will completely eliminate terrorism from the valley. Congress had put Sheikh Abdullah in jail for anti-national activities. If Rahul Gandhi has the courage, he should present the white paper that was tabled in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. The same Congress that blamed the Abdullah family for terrorism and put Omar Abdullah’s father in jail is now forging an alliance to win the elections.” Speaking at a rally in Kishtwar on Sunday, Shah said, “The upcoming elections are between two forces. On one side you have the BJP, which follows the ideals of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee. He said, “When we fought against the concept of ‘two constitutions and two prime ministers’ for the country, the Congress party under the leadership of Nehru opposed our campaign. Farooq ji used to say that even if Modi ji becomes the prime minister 10 times, he cannot remove Article 370. Mehbooba ji used to say that if Article 370 is removed, there will be bloodshed. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi established one flag, one prime minister and one constitution in the country by removing Article 370.”
The Congress and the National Conference have formed an alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections, which will be held in three phases starting from September 18 and the results will be declared on October 8.
