‘BJP to explore possibilities but dynastic rule by NC, PDP, Cong out of question’
*India not in favour of talks with Pak until terror ends
*No worries about separatists, people not with Omar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said the terrorism will be completely eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir and a White Paper will be issued to fix responsibility of those involved in emergence of terror as he sought five-year tenure for the BJP Government to ensure development of the region.
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Addressing at the release of BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (election manifesto) and later responding to questions of the media persons, Shah appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote for the BJP in the Assembly elections seeking a five-year tenure to ensure development of the region.
He also ruled out the possibility of a hung Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the BJP would explore other possibilities, but dynastic rule by the PDP, NC and Congress was out of the question.
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Shah questioned who is responsible for 40,000 lives lost to terrorism in J&K.
The BJP leader also accused the previous Governments of bowing down before separatism, and said peace, development and social justice were restored on the ground after the abrogation of Article 370.
“There used to be a time when separatists were calling the shots and making demands. The Governments were bowing down before groups like the Hurriyat Conference… different state and non-state actors linked to terrorism and separatism destabilised J&K as all the Governments were involved in appeasement. But after 2014, whenever the history of India and J&K will be written, I believe these 10 years will be written about in golden words,” Shah said.
The Home Minister, who reached here on a two-day visit to boost BJP’s election campaign for three-phase Assembly elections in J&K, also chaired two crucial meetings of the senior party leaders including the Core Group and called for united fight on all the seats the party is contesting. He expressed confidence that the BJP will be able to form the Government in J&K.
He reportedly discussed the campaign strategy of the BJP including Assembly constituencies where the senior party leaders will address the rallies.
This was Shah’s first visit to J&K after announcement of the Assembly elections. Tomorrow, he will be addressing a booth workers meeting of the party at Paloura on outskirts of the City.
Asserting that the past 10 years saw peace, prosperity and development in J&K, the Home Minister said after 30 years, Kashmir tourism has got a big boost. Night shows have become the new reality and processions by Shia mourners are being allowed for the first time in more than 32 years. Amarnath Yatra and Vaishno Devi pilgrimage also witnessed record-breaking numbers.
He said India is not in favour of talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends.
“Talks and bombs cannot go together. We are not open to talks with Pakistan unless terrorism ends. However, we will certainly talk to the youth of Kashmir,” Shah said.
When asked about the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pushing for talks with Pakistan and the restoration of cross-LoC trade, Shah responded, “Until terrorism ends and the trade-terror ecosystem is dismantled, we cannot agree.”
Addressing concerns about the separatists entering politics, Shah said, “I have no worries about separatists. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have decided to support Narendra Modi in making J&K free of terrorism.”
Shah also discussed the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri migrants, stating that a policy for their permanent settlement is in the works and efforts to return properties sold under duress during the height of terrorism are ongoing.
On the restoration of statehood, Shah reiterated that it would be restored at an appropriate time. “There’s no reluctance. The demand for statehood is being used to mislead people.”
He also assured that the reservations granted to Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, OBCs and Dalits would not be altered.
On the NC manifesto, Shah asked, “How can a party issue such a manifesto with Congress backing it? Rahul Gandhi must clarify whether Congress agrees with NC’s agenda. A simple yes or no.”
“Silence won’t work. The NC agenda calls for releasing stone pelters, reviewing cases of those arrested for terror links, and restoring Article 370 with two flags,” he said.
Shah also warned the NC about their stance on reservations. “I want to tell Omar Abdullah-no matter the outcome, we will not let you touch the reservations for Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis.”
Responding to a question on Omar’s decision to contest from two seats, Shah remarked, “He was initially hesitant due to fear, but now he’s contesting two seats. However, the people are not with him.”
Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comment that outsiders were ruling Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said, “Presidential rule was more prevalent under the Congress. The so-called leaders were in London while people here suffered.”
He emphasized that security measures under the Narendra Modi’s Government have been fully implemented and reassured the public that no one should fear the future.
When asked about Abdullah’s claim that the Muslims would not be suppressed in the valley, Shah dismissed it, saying, “There’s no suppression happening in Kashmir.”
Shah also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent on the manifesto of the National Conference (NC) advocating the restoration of Article 370.
“Congress must answer whether it supports the NC’s agenda. Article 370 is history and no one can bring it back,” he said.
Shah emphasized peace, prosperity and development over the past decade.
“For years, Kashmir echoed with gunfire and bomb blasts. That changed in the last 10 years. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 7,217 terror-related incidents, but from 2014 to 2024, the number dropped to 2,272 – a 70 per cent decrease. Killings fell by 76 per cent, civilian casualties by 80 per cent, and there’s been a significant drop in security force casualties.”
He added that stone-pelting incidents fell from 2,654 in 2010 to zero after August 2019 and Pakistan-sponsored strikes also dropped from 132 to zero.
“No deaths or injuries from stone-pelting, compared to 112 fatalities in previous years,” Shah said.
On the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri migrants, Shah said, “We have given them migrant status in two ways. Those who have come here from the valley are called migrants. A detailed policy will be framed. We will ensure permanent rehabilitation.”
Shah stated that since the time of independence, the region of Jammu & Kashmir has been extremely significant for the Bharatiya Janata Party. “BJP has consistently worked to keep this region integrated with India. From the movement led by Pandit Premnath Dogra to the martyrdom of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, both the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, as it was formerly known, and the Bharatiya Janata Party have fought tirelessly throughout their history. BJP firmly believes that Jammu & Kashmir has always been an integral part of India and will continue to be so without any doubt,” he added.
“The last 10 years have been marked by peace, development, and good governance in Jammu & Kashmir. During this decade, the region witnessed a transition from maximum terrorism to maximum tourism. These ten years have paved the way for prosperity and happiness, while also empowering the local culture of the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
Shah said in the past decade, 59 colleges have been accredited in Jammu and Kashmir, with 30 in the Kashmir region and 29 in the Jammu region. An additional 16,000 student admissions capacity has been added. Under the new education policy, the ‘Aao School Chale’ campaign has been promoted. Additionally, institutions such as two AIIMS, IITs, IIMs, and others have been established at a cost of Rs 6,000 crores for higher education.
“For 70 years, it was seen that children from Jammu and Kashmir had to leave the region to pursue their education elsewhere in the country. But today, students from all over India are coming to Jammu and Kashmir to study and send a positive message about the region’s situation. In a state facing a revenue deficit, hydropower development has emerged as a key driver for progress, with the government investing nearly Rs 22,500 crore in the construction of various hydroelectric projects,” the Home said.
Shah mentioned that several power-generating hydropower projects, such as the 1000 MW Pakal Dul, Shahpur-Kandi Dam irrigation, Ratle hydro scheme, and Kwar hydro scheme, have been set up in Jammu and Kashmir. Once these projects are completed, the region will become a surplus-budget UT under Prime Minister Narendra Modi leadership. Along with numerous electricity distribution projects, significant work has also been done to promote peace in the region.
“Previously, democracy in Jammu and Kashmir was confined to just three families, with no elections for Panchayats, Tehsil Panchayats, or District Panchayats. The BJP Government has revived the Panchayati Raj system by holding elections for Gram Panchayats, District Panchayats, Tehsil Panchayats and Municipalities, thereby establishing democracy in the region. In the past, forming a Government in Jammu and Kashmir often involved only 10% voter turnout, and newspapers would report headlines about double-digit voting. Today, however, a record 98.3% voter turnout was seen in the Block Development Council elections, and 58.47% in the recent Lok Sabha elections. This reflects that the people of both the Valley and Jammu are now fully standing up with democracy,” Shah said.
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