Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi today took a sharp jibe at the National Conference-Congress alliance in the ongoing Assembly elections, claiming that a similar collaboration in 1987 led to bloodshed, terrorism and suffering in the region.
While addressing a press conference, Ilmi alleged that a new accord between Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi resembles the 1987 Farooq Abdullah-Rajiv Gandhi accord, which she claims pushed the region into destruction.
She assured that the BJP would not allow any new agreement to bring back that era. “Do you remember what happened because of that accord? What followed was a period of militancy, bloodshed, terror, and pain. And friends, we will not let any new accord bring back that period. This is not only our promise but our determination,” she said.
Ilmi argued that after the 1987 accord, separatist sentiments grew, with the neighboring country exploiting the situation, which led to a wave of militancy. “There was an exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, which everyone knows about. No one talks about the ordinary Muslim families and what they went through. But I think you know more about it than I do,” she added. Click here to watch video
She criticized the three political families, the Abdullahs, Muftis, and Gandhis, accusing them of bowing to separatist forces. “We ask these families again and again, who will answer for their actions? Do you remember the Amarnath land transfer controversy in 2008 and the protests that ensued?
Ilmi claimed that the abrogation of Article 370 ushered in a new era of development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Article 370 made people feel different, but what was the benefit? Since its removal, there has been economic progress, with hundreds of bridges and roads built; far more than in the last 70 years,” she said.
She accused the three families of filling their own pockets during their rule, saying, “They secured jobs for their own people. It was the age of favoritism.”
Ilmi contrasted the BJP’s approach to employment with that of the NC, PDP, and Congress parties, saying, “Their idea of employment was paying people to throw stones. Our vision is to provide laptops, books, and open institutions like AIIMS IITs and IIMs.”
She said that these political parties form accords to fool the people and later split, but this time, the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not be deceived. “This time, the vote will not be for these three families but for every Kashmiri family; for their health, education, development, and happiness,” she said.
Shazia Ilmi called for a comprehensive development process in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the region must be freed from the cycles of terrorism, stone-pelting, and frequent hartals that disrupt normal life. She stated, “We want to see Jammu and Kashmir as a State free from hartals and violence, moving towards development. The mainstream parties like NC, PDP, and Congress have failed to take the necessary steps for progress.”
Ilmi further added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP envisions a stable, peaceful Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorism no longer holds sway over the lives of ordinary people.
Shazia also emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She noted that the PM has consistently focused on the development of the region, ensuring that the people’s voices are heard at the highest levels of governance. “Prime Minister Modi has visited the region multiple times, offering a vision of a prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir, where development is prioritized, and the youth have real opportunities,” she said.
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