SRINAGAR: Hinting that the BJP won’t field candidates for the three crucial Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday said that the BJP was not in a hurry to see the Lotus bloom in the Valley.
He urged Kashmiri people, especially the youth, not to vote for parties like the National Conference, Congress, and PDP. Shah also accused the Congress, NC, and PDP of staging fake encounters and arming young people.
Addressing a mega rally in Paloura area of Jammu, Union Home Minister Shah said that the BJP was not in a rush to see the Lotus bloom in the Valley, as the party is in the process of winning hearts. “We are not going to conquer Kashmir as projected by our adversaries. We want to win every heart in Kashmir,” he said.
Launching a tirade against the NC, PDP, and Congress, Home Minister Shah said that these parties are responsible for promoting militancy and arming young boys. “I want to ask Dr Farooq Abdullah, during whose tenure did most of the fake encounters take place? Wasn’t it during Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s government?” he asked.
The Home Minister said that Assembly elections in JK will be held on the dates announced by the Supreme Court of India. “There will be no delay,” he said.
Taking a jibe at PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, the Home Minister said she had claimed that if Article 370 is revoked, nobody would hoist the tricolour. “Today, Article 370 is buried forever, yet the Tricolour flies high with dignity and honour,” he said.
He said Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream of Ek Vi Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan stands fulfilled. “Today terrorism is on its deathbed, stone pelting, bandh calls, and street protests are history. PM Narendra Modiji has replaced stones with laptops in the hands of youth who were earlier holding stones,” Shah said, adding that “this is the change we have brought in Kashmir.”
Shah said that in Parliament, his commitment to providing fair reservation to Paharis without reducing the share allocated to Gujjars and Bakerwals stands proven. “We have given due reservation to all—Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, Valmikis, and OBCs. We have also given reservations to women,” he said.
He said BJP aims to ensure that every border village of Jammu looks like Jammu city. “Today, Jammu is progressing. It was Jammu first, where E-buses started plying. Today, AIIMS, IIMs, and IITs are in J&K, and students from across the country are coming here to study,” he said. “We are also committed to converting the Suchegarh border like the Wagah border.” At the end, the Home Minister raised the slogan: “Jis Kashmir kay liye Mukherjee nay diya balidan, wo Kashmir hamara hai.” (KNO)
