Assembly poll in J&K will be held in September: Minister

Our Correspondent

Jammu, August 5

The Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in September, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday, urging people in the Union Territory to vote the BJP to power for maintaining the “development tempo” and rooting out terrorism.

Reddy was speaking at the ‘Ekatma Mahotsav’ rally organised by his party on the fifth anniversary of Article 370 abrogation at the Bana Singh Stadium in RS Pura of Jammu district.

“Come September, the people of J&K will choose the BJP and make it victorious in the Assembly election for continued growth and peace. Together with the people of J&K, the BJP will make the region a land of opportunities and place it on the global tourism map” he said.

Reddy said, “The full integration of J&K was the first ideological resolution of the BJP and its fulfilment is realisation of a long-standing promise to the country. Post-abrogation of Article 370, region is undergoing holistic transformation with significant advancements in economic growth, peace, and the rights of women and OBCs in UT. From a hotspot for terrorism to a prime tourism destination, J&K is flourishing under the PM Narendra Modi-led government,” he said.

Lashing out at opposition parties, especially the Congress and the National Conference, he said they are talking about re-implementing Article 370, which has only brought “death and destruction” to Jammu and Kashmir through Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

“People have to decide which government they want in J&K, the one which is talking about Article 370 or the BJP-led government which wants to take J&K to new heights of development, peace and prosperity,” he said.

The rally was also seen as a platform to highlight the achievements of the present government by party leaders ahead of Assembly poll, which are likely by September. The Minister also attacked Pakistan by stating that the country was involved in a proxy war against India by sending terrorists to J&K. “It was only after the abrogation of Article 370 that the terrorism was curtailed. The government has time and again acted against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan which has brought much needed peace in the region,” he said.

BJP national general secretary and J&K in-charge Tarun Chugh and J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina were also present at the rally. In his address, Chugh said that on this day, final tribute was paid to “Do vidhan, do nishan, do pradhan” in the erstwhile state. He remembered Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee and his arrest while entering J&K.

Ravinder Raina said that on this day the injustice with the West Pakistani refugees, PoJK displaced persons and other communities was undone. “Congress party did grave injustice to the communities like Valmiki, Gujjar-Bakerwal, OBCs and SCs. Due to this day, today the West Pakistani refugees have got proprietary rights on the lands after 70 years”.

He mentioned the major development and infrastructure initiatives like road networks, AIIMS, IIT, IIM, medical colleges, educational institutes and other major projects to boost the socio-economic development in the region.