Jammu, Sept 29 : Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that Kashmir is celebrating the festival of democracy and resurgence of democratic aspiration which had gone dormant.
In an interview, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “What we witness today is the mainstreaming of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir and the credit for this entirely goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.
“It is heartening to see the transformation in the region where fear has been replaced by hope and just as the contesting candidates in large number are turning out to try their fortune, the voters in equal numbers are coming out to exercise their franchise”, stated Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighting the active participation of people in the ongoing Assembly elections.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is a miraculous transformation from the times when the Returning Officer would reject all the nomination papers and accept only one that of the ruling Party candidate, who would be declared elected uncontested. From that era we entered into the era of 8% to 10% with limited participation and room for manoeuvrability to elect the dynasts generation after generation. For the first time, he said, the election seen in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in Kashmir valley is the same as seen anywhere else in the country.
The Union Minister emphasised that the people of the region, particularly in Jammu, are eager to bring the BJP back to power, having witnessed equitable development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
With the third and last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls due on October 1, Dr Jitendra Singh discussed the BJP’s transformative agenda for J&K and the party’s vision for the future.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that the people of the region, particularly in Jammu, are eager to bring the BJP back to power, having experienced equitable development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“For years, Jammu alleged discrimination, but in the past ten years, both Jammu and Kashmir have seen equal progress. Prior to 2014, agitations were common, but today, peace and development have taken centre stage,” he said.
Highlighting the development in his own constituency, Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out the unprecedented growth in healthcare and infrastructure. “My constituency is perhaps the only one in the country with three centrally funded medical colleges. Airports are being developed, and Kishtwar will soon have one as well. Modi Ji has blessed this region with growth that was long overdue,” he said.
On the issue of water rights, Dr Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Modi for completing stalled projects under the Indus Water Treaty, which had left India with a lesser share of water compared to Pakistan. “Modi Ji completed the projects that ensure India’s rightful share of the water from the Ravi River, water that was previously flowing into Pakistan.
Speaking on the BJP’s long-standing commitment to revoking Article 370, Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that it was a matter of conviction for the party. “It was in the Jan Sangh manifesto. Syama Prasad Mukherjee had a clear vision that until we are in power, we won’t be able to implement our agenda. Vajpayee couldn’t do it due to coalition constraints, but it was destined for Modi Ji to fulfil this promise,” he said.
