‘BJP promises opportunities for youth’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 30: Maintaining that democracy in J&K was only for name in J&K while its spirit was broken during the six decades of Congress and National Conference (NC) rule, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dr Jitendra Singh today said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi enabled the mainstreaming democracy in the UT.
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In an interview, the Union Minister said earlier in fifties and sixties the MLAs used to be selected by DCs unopposed as the forms of opposition parties were rejected making a mockery of democratic system in the State. Later, the MLAs got elected with eight to 10 percent of votes after the boycott culture emerged in Kashmir on the dictates of neighbouring Pakistan.
Dr Jitendra Singh while ridiculing Congress and National Conference claiming to be champions of democracy, accused them of murdering democracy in J&K and alleged the rigging in 1987 Assembly elections was the basic turmoil in J&K.
The two parties entered into alliance when it suited to their political interests at the peril of J&K people, he said, adding had the democracy allowed to be thrived in this part of the country, the situation could have been altogether different and better.
Dr Jitendra Singh said two parties during their rule did not allow the democracy to percolate to grassroots level and Panchayat, Bloc Development Council (BDC) and District Development Council (DDC) elections were not allowed to be held for decades together. “It was only under Modi rule and after abrogation of Article 370 that the elections to three tier democratic institutions were held in J&K and funds were transferred to Panchayats,’’ he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said besides the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment for empowering Panchayats and Municipal Committees were not also implemented in J&K despite the fact that the law was passed during Congress Government at Centre headed by Rajiv Gandhi. It was only during the Modi Government that this Constitutional amendment was implemented in the State, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the youth of Jammu & Kashmir are highly aspirational and BJP promises opportunities for their bright future.
He emphasised that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to bring the BJP back to power, having experienced equitable development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Dr Jitendra Singh targeted Congress, National Conference and PDP leadership saying that in the guise of Article 370, its benefits were enjoyed by a handful few. People saw the work in the last 10 years. The youth are aspirational and they don’t want to lose this opportunity.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Voters are enthused. The BJP has tried to create a new culture here in the last 10 years, where religion, caste are being left behind. When people saw welfare schemes, a faith was instilled in them. The confidence of voters has increased in Jammu. There is a level-playing field and people want BJP Government.,”
He said that in the past 10 years, both Jammu and Kashmir have seen equal progress. Prior to 2014, agitations were common, but today, peace and development have taken centre stage.”
On the question of Statehood, he said, ” As far as Statehood is concerned, it has already been announced by the BJP. PM Modi has been reiterating that in every public meeting. It is an old trick of Congress, they are manufacturing a narrative so that when it happens, they may claim that they were putting pressure. People won’t be fooled.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Actually, the people who are on the streets in Srinagar are happy with the abrogation of Article 370. They are grateful to PM Modi”.
He said, “Because in the guise of it, its benefits were directly enjoyed by the few family-based parties. People saw the work in the last 10 years. The youth are aspirational and they don’t want to lose this opportunity.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said that if this is being made the agenda, then it is because of the parties there and the Congress party. The situation of Congress is delicate. They are unsure about Article 370.
He said, “I want to challenge them to promise Article 370 again in J&K, they would never say it,”
On a question related to election in Jammu and Kashmir, Jitendra Singh said, “First of all, I want to thank PM Modi, there is a celebratory mood there. Everyone is celebrating the festival of democracy. It is happening for the first time. Mainstreaming of democracy in J&K has happened now. People will be grateful to PM Modi.”
He said that there was a long period of time in J&K after independence, when in the disguise of democracy, the spirit of democracy was not there. In the first 2-3 decades, Returning Officers used to be instructed to reject nomination papers and the ruling party candidate used to be declared winner.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Then came a time when 8-10 pc voting used to happen. It would be influenced by Pakistan. Voters would not come out. It has changed for the first time. Aspirant candidates have increased. Voters are enthused.”
He said, ” The BJP has tried to create a new culture here in the last 10 years, where religion, caste are being left behind. When people saw welfare schemes, a faith was instilled in people. The confidence of voters has increased in Jammu. There is a level-playing field. People want BJP.”
On a question of Rahul Gandhi’s comments on PM Modi, he said that he should understand that Narendra Modi is not only the PM of BJP but also the PM of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
He said that Rahul Gandhi had broken the healthy practice of democracy by criticising the PM on foreign soil.
About Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments on PM Modi, he said that it is his wishful thinking, but it is the people who will decide.
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