![BJP leaders lighting the lamp during the party's Working Committee meeting at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh BJP leaders lighting the lamp during the party's Working Committee meeting at Jammu on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/page1-4-6.jpg)
India’s prestige has grown: Sood
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 17: While Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh termed the G-20 meeting in Srinagar next week a “big opportunity” to showcase J&K’s changing scenario to the world, BJP co-incharge J&K, Ashish Sood took a strong dig at Pakistan and Khalistani forces for opposing holding of G-20 meet in Srinagar and said that neighbouring country should keep its hands off from Kashmir.
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Both Dr Jitendra Singh and Ashish Sood were talking to reporters on the sidelines of party’s Working Committee meeting here, today.
The G-20 meeting in Srinagar next week is a “big opportunity” for Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said. He said it will showcase J&K’s changing scenario to the world.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, he along with Union Tourism Minister, G Kishan Reddy, will attend the meeting to be inaugurated by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
The third G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting is scheduled to take place in, Srinagar from May 22 to 24.
“It is a big opportunity for J&K to showcase its changing scenario to the world. The delegates will mostly go to Dal Lake for sightseeing and watch cultural programmes on May 22 but the real business will be happening during the next two days,” Dr Jitendra Singh, said.
Dr Jitendra Singh who represents Udhampur -Kathua Parliamentary constituency of Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha, said such an international event taking place in Srinagar would send a positive message in the country and across the globe.
On the agenda of the Working Committee meeting, he said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is completing nine years in office and the party intends to celebrate the occasion across the country.
The BJP is celebrating the completion of nine years of the Modi-led Government at the Centre from May 30 to June 30 and planning to hold public rallies in all constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Later addressing the Working Committee meeting which was chaired by J&K BJP president, Ravinder Raina, Union Minister asked party leaders and activists that before going to join the mass contact programme they must fully study the achievements during last nine years.
Dr Jitendra Singh asked party men that this being an evidence based era, the leaders before going to masses should be abreast with full facts and figures and they should make a comparative study of the progress made by the country not only during 10 years of previous UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh but 60 years of Congress rule also.
He said earlier only 3.8 lakh kms PMGSY roads were constructed in the country while in last nine years of Modi Government, seven lakh kms of roads under PMGSY were constructed.
Dr Jitendra Singh said there were only 74 airports in the country up to 2014 whose number has risen to 148 today, while there were only 145 Government Medical Colleges in the country which were added by 260 new Medical Colleges during last nine years. Besides, 300 new universities were also opened in last nine years, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the achievements made during the nine years of Modi Government are much more than 60 years of Congress rule.
Ashish Sood said “Pakistan has no business in Jammu and Kashmir as it (Kashmir) was, is and will be the integral part of India”. He said in case any kind of dialogue is held with Pakistan that will be on PoJK which is under its forcible occupation.
He said India’s prestige has grown in world as it has been chosen for G20 leadership and this has caused desperation to Pakistan leadership. Sood said it is Modi’s India which is emerging as world leader and Pakistan should realise this fact now.
He said India knows its responsibilities very well and it is fully capable in fulfilling them.
Later addressing the Executive Committee meeting, Sood took Aam Aadmi Party, leader Sanjay Singh to task for stating that the recent Local Body elections in UP show that people want change there. He asked on what basis AAP leader was making such a statement when his party’s performance in the elections was worst.
He said BJP out of 17 Mayor seats won 16 while on one seat which AAP contested, it remained at sixth place and still Sanjay Singh boasts of his party’s performance.
Sood, however, said that victory or defeat are two faces of elections in a democracy and BJP has always accepted the people’s verdict with humility as for party the power is also a source of serving the people.
The meeting was convened to chalk out a detailed programme to educate people about the Government policies and achievements over the past nine years,.
BJP general secretary in charge J&K, Tarun Chugh who had to attend the meeting, however, addressed it through virtual mode from Delhi due to his preoccupation.
MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP national secretary, Dr. Narinder Singh, former DyCM Dr Nirmal Singh, former Dy CM Kavinder Gupta, former MP (Rajya Sabha) Shamsher Singh Manhas, former Minister Sat Sharma and Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal were also present on the stage.
Tarun Chugh, while addressing the meeting through virtual mode, said that under the leadership of PM Modi, there has been a paradigm shift towards people-centric governance in these past nine years. He said that there have been numerous structural transformations, which cover every sector of society and economy. “These nine years have seen India rising and cementing its position as one of the strongest and most resilient countries in the world” he added.
He said India is now steadily embarking on the path to becoming a superpower where its voice is heard and respected, where it is seen as a torch bearer to the entire world.
He insisted that “we are now truly unlocking the potential of India and creating a developed and prosperous nation for our future generations under the strong principled governance by Narendra Modi. He asked all the party leaders to apprise people of these achievements in the coming days.
Ravinder Raina, while addressing the meeting, announced that the party would soon launch Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyaan in J&K.
Raina informed that the time coincides with the successful completion of nine years of good governance at the Centre by the Narendra Modi led Government. The party leaders at the Union Territory level must also take the achievements of the Modi Government to the masses.
He also assigned duties to senior party leaders to make the ‘Abhiyaan’ successful.
Raina insisted that Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed an era of unprecedented development with focus on peace and prosperity in the region under the present dispensation. He said that BJP is diligently working on mission mode to convert Jammu & Kashmir into a favourite destination in multiple sectors like tourism, education, medical facilities while strengthening the overall required infrastructure to ensure this.
Ashok Koul gave a thorough insight into the forthcoming party programmes with the help of a PPT presentation. He asked the party leaders to dedicate more time to ensure the success of the programmes decided by the party. He said that all the party leaders must ensure their pro-active role at every single booth in the region.
J&K BJP general secretary, Dr. Devinder Manyal conducted the meeting proceedings.