Accusing the National Conference-Congress alliance of “nourishing terrorism” when they were in power in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday also targeted some political parties in Kashmir over their stance on Article 370, saying it is part of history and there is no place for it in the Constitution.
Addressing a rally here ahead of the first phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Modi government is working towards ‘Viksit J-K” and that it has given reservation to ‘Pahadis’ without touching the Gurjar reservation.
“The Congress-National Conference alliance has always been a nourisher of terrorism… In the 1990s, Farooq Abdullah was the CM, you were elected after an agreement with Rajeev Gandhi. When the Kashmir Valley was soaked in blood due to terrorism, where were you?… You went to London for a summer vacation. Nehru, Gandhi and Abdullah family spread terrorism here and now they want your blessings again. They boycotted the Kashmiri Pandits, spread terrorism and delayed reservation, do you want that NC-Congress again?” he asked.
“And now, the Modi government has given reservation to Pahadis without touching the Gurjar reservation… Now the Gurjars and Pahadis have tribal reservation, now your children can also become Collectors and DSPs. PM Modi abolished the rule of the three families and established Panchayati Raj in the state. The children will represent in the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha soon. PM Modi wants to make a Viksit J&K and wants to give the right of reservation to the OBC also,” he added.
The Home Minister said any effort to bring back Article 370 will not succeed.
“NC and Congress say that they will reinstate Article 370 if their government is formed. Should Article 370 be back?… The reservation which the Pahadis and Gurjar brothers get, would not be possible if Article 370 is restored… But I have been observing the environment in Kashmir, neither Farooq Abdullah nor Rahul Gandhi is forming the government here. Article 370 is now a part of the history. There is no place for Article 370 in the Constitution of India. There can never be two prime ministers, two constitutions and two flags in Kashmir. There will only be one flag and that is our Tricolour,” he said.
The senior BJP leader lauded the locals for their spirit of patriotism. “This land of Kishtwar is the land of warriors. When India was partitioned due to the wrong policies of the Congress, it took a long time to decide where the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir would go due to Nehru’s Sheikh-supporting policies. Whenever there was a crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Kishtwar never hesitated to make sacrifices. During the terrorism of 1990, every citizen here fought along with the security forces and contributed to ending terrorism,” he said.
Shah also spoke of the BJP-led government’s commitment to combat terrorism and to strengthen the local economy, including through hydroelectric projects and infrastructure initiatives.
Congress and the National Conference have formed an alliance for the assembly polls.
Assembly polls will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)
