Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 23 : Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that Jammu & Kashmir had voted for development and rejected the politics of rhetoric which was sought to be used to underplay the unprecedented developmental work and series of pro-poor schemes initiated by the Modi Government.
In an interview to a national TV channel on the results of the just-concluded District Development Council (DDC) election in the Union Territory, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the voter could see the development and the welfare schemes reaching his doorstep, while the opponents, cynics and certain disgruntled elements tried their best to create a narrative that nothing had happened. He said, the voter has proved that he has come of age and can neither be hoodwinked by rhetoric nor by money or muscle power.
There was a concerted effort by certain elements, said Dr Jitendra Singh, to create a myth that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be washed out in the Jammu region and it would make no headway in the Kashmir region. However, by proving the prophets of doom wrong, the common man and the common voter had demonstrated his ability to decide what is the best option for him and who is the best to represent him in the interest of his well-being and welfare.
Most of the critics and opponents, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, failed to understand that this is the third generation post-independence who are the key voters and who are not amenable to be swayed by false slogans or aggressive rhetoric that sans conviction.
As for Kashmir valley, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, vote for BJP is a vote for being part of the development journey of mainstream India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, people, particularly youth, have become weary of inconsequential terrorism and wish to make the best of the opportunities available in New India.
Refuting a baseless argument by opposition, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, BJP has established its pan-J&K character and its vote share of 24.82 % is far ahead of any other political party in the just concluded DDC polls. He said, the opposition parties are unable to digest the fact that BJP has made its presence across Jammu & Kashmir, in every region.