Was PM Modi’s Statehood Speech in Response to Congress’s Morning Statement on Jammu and Kashmir?

SRINAGAR: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his journey to Udhampur, the political landscape was charged with anticipation and scrutiny. Amidst the backdrop of his visit, the Congress party, through its spokesperson Jairam Ramesh, issued a detailed statement, shedding light on the state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir under the BJP’s governance.

In their statement, the Congress highlighted several pressing issues. The Congress pointed out the prolonged absence of elected representation in Jammu and Kashmir since the dissolution of the state government in 2018. They questioned the delay in conducting elections, highlighting the vacuum in governance and the people’s right to choose their leaders.

The statement brought attention to the expiration of terms for thousands of Panchayats and Block Development Councils, leaving the populace without grassroots representation. The Congress criticised the BJP’s reluctance to hold fresh elections, accusing them of suppressing the will of the people.

Referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment to restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress questioned the delay in fulfilling this promise, raising suspicions about the BJP’s intentions and timing.

Lastly, the Congress highlighted the disparity between the BJP’s promises of development and the ground reality. They cited the underwhelming figures of industrial registration and investment, juxtaposing them with the grandiose visions promised by the Modi government.

For a better understanding, here is the detailed statement on the Congress:

“Today, the PM heads to Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir. In their attempt to retain power in the erstwhile state, the BJP government has now suspended almost all tiers of democracy and refuses to hold fresh elections. PM Modi must answer for his suspension of democracy:

1. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has been under direct rule of the Union Government ever since the BJP withdrew support to the Mehbooba Mufti led-government in 2018, citing a “deteriorating security situation”. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been left without an elected government since then. Four seats in the Rajya Sabha also remain vacant because of the delay in holding assembly polls. The Centre has often blamed the Election Commission of India for the delay in holding elections but now the Chief Election Commissioner has turned around and blamed the Centre for the delay after 2022’s delimitation exercise. Eventually, the Supreme Court had to step in and give the Centre a deadline of September 2024 to conduct the polls. Why has the BJP waited so long to conduct polls in the state? Are they afraid of the verdict of the people? How long will the PM cling to power in a state where the people never chose him as their leader?
2. ⁠ The terms of 4,892 Panchayats and 316 Block Development Councils (2nd and 3rd tiers of Panchayati Raj) came to an end on January 9. With the terms of urban local bodies having ended last November, the people of Jammu and Kashmir no longer have elected representatives on most levels of Government. Once again, the ruling BJP has been unwilling to hold fresh elections in the state. Why has PM Modi so ruthlessly suppressed the will of the people?
3. ⁠ In his speech in Parliament on December 11, 2023, Home Minister Amit Shah said that full statehood to J&K would be restored at an “appropriate time”. Like the assembly and panchayat polls, will this commitment also be delayed till the time is “appropriate” for the BJP?
4. The new industrial policy announced in January 2021, along with three abrogation of Article 370, was supposed to usher in “development and progress. However, till date, only 414 units have been registered and actual investment on the ground is just Rs 2,518 crores. Although there was much optimism about the hospitality sector, only 87 crores of investment proposals have been received till date. Where is all of the “development and progress” that PM Modi had promised?”

The timing of the Congress’s detailed statement, issued just as Prime Minister Modi was set to address the public in Udhampur, was not coincidental. It served as a prelude to the Prime Minister’s subsequent speech, setting the stage for a narrative that juxtaposed the Congress’s accusations with the BJP’s counter-narrative.

PM Modi Announces Early Statehood Restoration and Assembly Polls In Jammu and Kashmir

Modi said Jammu and Kashmir will have its statehood restored and the assembly election will take place soon.

In his address, which stretched for over half an hour, Prime Minister Modi directly tackled the issues raised by the Congress. He defended his government’s actions, emphasising the need for security and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated his commitment to development and progress in the region, while also accusing the Congress of neglecting the region during their tenure.

While the Congress’s statement undoubtedly provided fodder for political discourse and debate, whether it served as a direct trigger for Modi’s speech remains subjective. However, it undeniably framed the narrative surrounding Modi’s visit to Udhampur, casting a spotlight on the ongoing political tensions and governance challenges in the region.