Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a secure, peaceful, and prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir, as he launched his campaign for the upcoming three-phase Assembly elections in the Union Territory.
In a rally held in Doda’s Sports Stadium, PM Modi presented the elections as a battle between three influential families of the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress, against the “lakhs of sons and daughters of the soil” with aspirations for a better future.
Thank you Doda for the warmth and support! pic.twitter.com/lfv0Bmr2Lp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2024
The Prime Minister held the successive NC, PDP, and Congress governments responsible for what he described as the “destruction” of J&K. Accusing these parties of dynastic rule, Modi alleged that they have misled the people, promoted terrorism, and failed to nurture new leadership in the region. He said that the upcoming elections will decide the future of J&K.
A Historic Visit
Modi’s rally in Doda was notable, marking the first time in over four decades that a sitting Prime Minister addressed a rally in the town. Without directly naming the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families, he criticized these parties for prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the people.
लोकतंत्र का एक महत्वपूर्ण स्तंभ है- हमारा स्वतंत्र मीडिया। लेकिन अमेरिका में भारत के अखबार के एक प्रतिनिधि के साथ जिस प्रकार के जुल्म की बातें सामने आई हैं, वो लोकतंत्र और संविधान की मर्यादाओं को तार-तार करने वाली हैं। विदेशी धरती पर भारतवासी का अपमान करने वालों के मुंह में… pic.twitter.com/ln24Yq0q0D
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2024
After the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, it implemented local governance measures such as the panchayat, Block Development Council (BDC), and District Development Council (DDC) elections. According to Modi, these elections were a step towards promoting democracy at the grassroots level and enabling youth participation in decision-making in J&K.
ALSO READ: 5 terrorists killed in ongoing gunbattle in Jammu and Kashmir
Accusations of Promoting Terrorism
Modi accused the NC, PDP, and Congress of fostering a “breeding ground for terror” in the region. “Thousands of children have lost their lives for their sins,” he said, alleging that terrorism was used as a tool to maintain political power. He cited the BJP-led government’s efforts over the past decade to combat terrorism and stated that today, it is “taking its last breath.”
नेशनल कॉन्फ्रेंस, पीडीपी और कांग्रेस आर्टिकल 370 वापस लाना चाहते हैं, जिसका यहां के लोगों के लिए यह मतलब है… pic.twitter.com/FHG80yyjTa
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2024
Addressing the crowd, Modi praised the courage of candidates like Shagun Parihar, the BJP candidate in Kishtwar, whose father and uncle were killed by terrorists in 2018. He described her as a “live example of our determination to wipe out terrorism.”
Development and Statehood Promises
The Prime Minister criticized previous administrations for neglecting basic infrastructure and facilities. He pointed out that under BJP’s rule, new medical colleges, AIIMS, IITs, and IIMs have been established in the region over the last four to five years. Modi assured the public that the BJP government would restore statehood to J&K, urging them to be wary of those who have “deprived them of their rights.”
भाजपा एक ऐसा जम्मू-कश्मीर बनाने जा रही है, जो Terror free होने के साथ Tourists के लिए स्वर्ग होगा। pic.twitter.com/VxYtF52fVS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2024
Modi also highlighted the contentious issue of Articles 370 and 35A, warning that if these provisions are restored, it could lead to renewed unrest, including strikes and protests. He claimed that restoring these articles would limit women’s rights and strip away reservation benefits.
Significance of the Rally
The rally in Doda is part of the BJP’s broader strategy to repeat its 2014 electoral success in the Chenab Valley region of Jammu province. This region, predominantly inhabited by Muslims and bordering South Kashmir, is seen as a critical area for BJP’s electoral ambitions. Following the 2022 delimitation, two new constituencies—Doda West and Padder-Nagseni—have been created in the Chenab Valley, raising the total number of seats in the region to eight.
