Jammu-Kashmir Election: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday released the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections. The event, held in Jammu, saw the presence of key BJP leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina.
In his address, Shah emphasised the BJP’s longstanding commitment to Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Since Independence, the issue of Jammu and Kashmir has remained important for our party, and we’ve always tried to keep this region with India. From Pandit Prem Nath Dogra’s struggle to Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s sacrifice, this struggle was taken forward first by Jana Sangh and then by the BJP because we believe that Jammu and Kashmir has always been a part of India and will remain so.”
Shah highlighted the progress made in the region under the BJP’s leadership since 2014. “Terrorism and separatism continued in Jammu and Kashmir till 2014, and different state and non-state actors continued to destabilise the region. Besides, all other governments did politics of appeasement to deal with the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. However, whenever the history of India and Jammu and Kashmir is written, the period between 2014 and 2024 will be written in golden words,” he remarked.
Taking a swipe at the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, Shah questioned their manifesto for the upcoming elections. “I checked the National Conference’s manifesto. I am surprised how can a political party release a manifesto like this, and how come a national party like Congress supported it unconditionally? I urge Rahul Gandhi to clear whether he and Congress support National Conference’s agenda,” he said.
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‘मातृभूमि’ @akhileshanandd के साथ | https://t.co/smwhXURgtc#MatrBhumiOnABP #JammuAndKashmirElections #JammuAndKashmir #AmitShah #BJP #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/egrBoY9e25
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Shah reiterated the BJP’s stance on Article 370, declaring, “Article 370 is history, it will never return, and we won’t let it happen. Article 370 was the thing that gave weapons and stones in the hands of the youth.”
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The manifesto also includes several welfare schemes aimed at the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Shah announced, “We have decided that we will bring ‘Ma Samman Yojana’ to give Rs 18,000 to the eldest lady of every family, each year… We will give two free cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme, per year. Under Pragati Shiksha Yojana, we will provide Rs 3,000 to college students per year, as a travelling allowance.”
On BJP’s manifesto having a rehabilitation scheme for Kashmiri Pandits, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed, “…The scheme will be very detailed. We will look for complete rehabilitation. Many Kashmiri Pandits and people from the Sikh community who left when the terrorism was at its peak were forced to sell their properties. We have already started working in this regard – either returning their properties or providing the amount for their properties. We are towards the completion of rehabilitation of 6000 people.”
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‘मातृभूमि’ @akhileshanandd के साथ | https://t.co/smwhXURgtc#MatrBhumiOnABP #JammuAndKashmirElections #JammuAndKashmir #AmitShah #BJP #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/b8EysUr3DO
— ABP News (@ABPNews) September 6, 2024
The Union Home Minister also stressed the BJP’s commitment to eradicating terrorism in the region. “We will ensure complete eradication of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” he asserted. Additionally, Shah promised a “white paper” to hold those responsible for the emergence of terrorism in the Union Territory accountable.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina lauded Shah’s efforts in the region, stating, “Union Home Minister worked towards fulfilling PM Modi’s sankalp of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ in Jammu and Kashmir. Under PM Modi’s leadership and thanks to the Union Home Minister’s efforts, justice has been served to every section of society in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Shah’s visit comes at a critical time for the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, as the party faces challenges ahead of the assembly elections. Several leaders and workers have expressed their dissatisfaction after being denied tickets, with a few even quitting the party. To address this, Shah, after the manifesto release, is expected to chair a meeting with BJP leaders and meet with delegations of party workers.
The BJP’s campaign launch from Jammu, scheduled for Saturday, is aimed at reassuring the people of the region about the party’s commitment to their welfare and development. Security has been tightened in and around Jammu, with multi-tier security arrangements at venues in the Channi and Greater Kailash areas.
Preparations for Shah’s rally at Palora Top are underway, with sanitisation operations and area domination protocols in place to ensure the safety and security of the event.
