JAMMU: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined a series of achievements in its manifesto, showcasing the impact of its policies in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370. The party claims that through the interventions of the Modi government, the region has seen a marked improvement in peace and prosperity. There has been a 75 per cent reduction in terrorism post-2019, with no stone-pelting incidents or organised hartals reported since 2022.
One of the key highlights of the manifesto is the abrogation of Article 370, which the BJP states has led to the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Constitution of India. This move has allowed for the implementation of the Panchayati Raj system, bringing grassroots democracy to the region. Additionally, important central laws, including those aimed at social justice, have been extended to Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, women’s proprietary rights have been secured, with women-centric legislation such as the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act now applicable in the region.
The manifesto further emphasises the granting of full citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees, ending decades of marginalisation. Social justice has been bolstered through assured reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The BJP has also highlighted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Act, 2023, which reserves one-third of all elected seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for women.
On the infrastructural front, the party has pointed to significant projects such as the Chenab Railway Bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore, and the Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, costing Rs 3,100 crore. The Delhi-Katra Greenfield Expressway, with a budget of Rs 40,000 crore, has also been a major development, along with the launch of India’s second Vande Bharat train on the Delhi-Katra route.
In terms of agriculture, the BJP notes that initiatives like the Lavender Farming programme under the ‘Aroma Mission’ have substantially increased farmers’ incomes. Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, more than Rs 3,000 crore has been provided to 12.68 lakh eligible farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tourism is another area where the BJP claims success, with Jammu and Kashmir witnessing its highest-ever tourist footfall in 2023, attracting 2.11 crore visitors. The region’s shift from being known as the ‘Capital of Terrorism’ to the ‘Capital of Tourism’ is highlighted by events such as the first Formula 4 racing event and the Srinagar Marathon.
Further, the BJP underscores the region’s educational development with the establishment of its first Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in Jammu, alongside All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Awantipora and Vijaypur. Investments in the region have also surged, with proposals exceeding Rs 80,000 crore since the abrogation of Article 370, and new policies such as the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30, aimed at further economic growth.
The party’s manifesto also highlights cultural preservation efforts, with Geographical Indication (GI) tags awarded to saffron, Basohli paintings, Rajouri Chikri wood craft, and other local products, promoting exports and preserving the region’s rich heritage.
