‘Assembly poll crucial for us’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 30: Censuring the Congress and National Conference (NC) alliance, Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP’s Incharge for J&K Assembly poll, G Kishan Reddy today alleged that its manifesto is “against peace and development and aligns more closely with Pakistan’s interests than those of the people of India.”
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Talking to reporters here, he said the alliance partners want to restore the controversial Article 370 and 35 A which had usurped the rights of various sections of society in the erstwhile State.
Reddy said that before the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, activities of Pakistan’s ISI, its Intelligence Agency, were rampant, and terrorism was a constant threat. But today, almost 98 per cent of these activities have been eradicated, he claimed.
“As Jammu and Kashmir approaches its first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Art 370, it is a crucial moment for all of us. This is a very important election. The people of Jammu and Kashmir hold a big responsibility. I believe they will make the right decision after analysing all aspects. No one in Jammu and Kashmir wants Article 370 back,” Reddy said.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir will reject any attempt to revive Article 370 and will support the BJP’s vision for peace, progress, and development in the upcoming elections instead of terrorism and separatism patronised by others,” he added.
Reddy claimed that five years since the abrogation of Article 370, peace had returned to Jammu and Kashmir and large-scale development was underway, as he urged the people to vote for his party in the upcoming Assembly election.
Reddy invoked former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s efforts to forge peace with Pakistan, which, he said, were thwarted by Islamabad’s “malicious intentions.”
“The people must recognise the history of betrayal by parties like the PDP, NC and Congress, and vote for the BJP, which is the only party committed to the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He alleged that the rival alliance’s plan to reinstate Article 370 would once again separate J-K from the rest of India and undo the progress made since.
Reddy termed the Article 370 as a “black law” that was against the rights of the poor, women, and SC, ST communities.
“There are no more bomb blasts and no ISI agents causing havoc. The results are clear for everyone to see. Our decision was justified and right,” he asserted.
“Before this historic move, the region was plagued by a lack of basic infrastructure — electricity, roads, water connections, and housing for the poor were all severely lacking,” he said.
“Now, with the implementation of the 42nd and 43rd Amendments, funds are directly reaching villages, empowering grassroots democracy,” he added.
The politician claimed that the Union Territory was finally rid of “scourge of stone pelting” and Kashmiri Pandits were being restored to their homes with dignity and security.
Reddy also slammed PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, a former ally of the BJP, accusing her of conspiring with the Congress and the NC to destabilise the region.
“Why should a beautiful State like Jammu and Kashmir be made the epicentre of unrest when people are yearning for development, employment and the full implementation of Dr B R Ambedkar’s Constitution?” he asked.
He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for being “silent” on the alliance’s manifesto, which, he claimed, discriminates against women and the underprivileged.
“Logoo Ki Umar Guzar Jaati Hai Ek Ghar Banane Main, Magar Unko Sharm Nahi Aati Jalane Main … (It takes ages to build, but moments to destroy)” he said, referring to the Congress-NC combine.
He was flanked by BJP spokespersons Shazia Ilmi and R.P. Singh, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, UT spokesperson, Abhijit Jasrotia, and J&K BJP media secretary, Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, at ther press conference.
Reddy said that the region is now free from the scourge of stone pelting, which once involved children being coerced into violence against security forces. He also declared that Pakistan-sponsored protests and strikes have come to an end.
“These Assembly elections in J&K are not just for vote for BJP but are a movement against terrorism and for the restoration of rights to the people of J&K,” Reddy proclaimed. He criticized the Congress-NC alliance, alleging that their manifesto is against peace and development and aligns more closely with Pakistan’s interests than those of the people of India.
The Union Minister further stressed the critical choice that lies before the people of Jammu & Kashmir: between violence and separatism or peace and development. He said people chose second option and urged the electorate to recognize the history of betrayal by parties like the PDP, NC, and Congress, and to vote for the BJP, which, is the only party committed to the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially when it comes restoring the dignity of marginalized sections of society including women, SCs, STs, Gorkhas, Valmikis and West Pakistani refugees.
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