Jammu, Aug 05: Union Minister G. Krishna Reddy, the Election Incharge for J&K Assembly elections, announced on Monday that elections in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir are set to take place next month, in September.
Speaking at the ‘Ekatma Mahotsav’ rally organized by the BJP at Bana Singh Stadium in RS Pura, Reddy expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a majority in the upcoming elections. The rally commemorated the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, which was repealed by Parliament on August 5, 2019.
Reddy urged voters to support the BJP to continue the pace of development and to eliminate terrorism. He highlighted the reduction in ISI activities in J&K since the revocation of Article 370 by the Modi-led government and warned against any continued support for terrorism by neighboring countries, indicating that such actions would face serious consequences.
The rally was attended by senior BJP leaders including National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta.
Reddy emphasized that the abrogation of Article 370 had led to significant positive changes in J&K, including the empowerment of women and other marginalized groups, and had curbed terrorism and separatist activities. He asserted that a return to power by parties like NC or Congress could risk a resurgence of these issues.
“The BJP is the only party capable of ensuring peace and preventing Pakistan-sponsored terrorism from targeting Indian citizens,” Reddy stated.
Terming the abrogation of Article 370 a “proud moment” for the country and the people of J&K, he said nobody had ever thought of such a development even as the foundation for it had been laid by Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee, who laid down his life while opposing the controversial constitutional provision.
“After a long struggle, the people of J&K finally got freedom from Article 370 which led to granting of rights to the women and other deprived sections of society. A new J&K came into being where terrorism, stone-pelting, hoisting of Pakistani flags and insult to the tricolour have become history,” he said.
Asking people not to vote for the Congress and the NC, Reddy said if they return to power there is possibility of revival of terrorism and separatism.
