TDD Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD): Prime Minister Narendera Modi today said people of the UT must repose trust in BJP and ensure freedom from the dynasty rule forever as the world was watching closely how people of J&K are voting in large numbers to strengthen the democracy.
The Prime Minister said the seven districts witnessed the first phase of elections and for the first time, polls were held without the shadow of terrorism. “It was really a proud moment that such a huge number of people came out to vote yesterday. Kishtwar witnessed 80 per cent poling, Doda over 71 per cent, Ramban 70 per cent and Kulgam over 62 per cent. This percentage has broken the previous record. J&K people have written a new chapter in the history,” Modi said.
Addressing a massive gathering at S K Stadium in Srinagar, Modi greeted people in Kashmiri. As the crowd shouted, Modi, Modi, the Prime Minister said: “This is Naya Kashmir. My mission is to see J&K progress and achieve new heights in development. You are saying, Khushamdeed and I am thankful to you all from the core of my heart,” he said.
He said that today the world is watching how J&K people are strengthening Indian democracy. “For this, I congratulate the people of J&K,” he said. About Statehood, Modi said BJP has promised the restoration of statehood to J&K and it will be done by BJP only.
Taking a dig at three parties, National Conference, PDP and Congress, Modi said these three families were responsible for ruining J&K. “These three families have fear and uncertainty to the people of J&K. But time has changed, we will not allow people to fall prey to the traps of these families,” he said, adding that “My mission was to defeat terrorism and not to allow J&K fall prey to the family rule again. “These parties are responsible for depriving youth from going to schools. NC, PDP and Congress are responsible for torching the schools. They destroyed the future of youth.”
He said since 1980, these three families were treating J&K as their own “political fiefdom” as they were never interested in holding Panchayat, Block Development Council and District Development Council (DDC) polls. “They knew if they would hold these polls, new faces would emerge and they will challenge these parties,” Modi said, adding that Kashmir is a sacred place that was destroyed for 35 long years by the three parties. He said that there was a time when Lal Chowk would shut before the sun set. “Going to Lal Chowk was like inviting death till the recent past. But the market remains open till late night now. Eid and Diwali is being celebrated together with harmony,” Modi said
Modi said the three parties even didn’t spare Kashmiri Pandits and forced them to flee. “Sikhs too faced the wrath. They created hatred. BJP is uniting people once again by reducing Dil aur Dili ki doori,” he said.
Modi said in the past 35 years, 3000 days witnessed hartals and bandhs. “This means, Kashmir remained shut for eight years out of 35 years. But in the last five years, there was not even a shutdown for eight hours,” he said. At the culmination of his rally, Modi sought votes for Sofi Yousuf, Er Aijaz Hussain and Arif Raja. He urged people to vote in large numbers on September 25 and break all previous records— (TDD)
