Invoking the sentiments of Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s party supporters, Shah said that he had laid down his life to see a united India, and as a tribute to him, it should be ensured that BJP forms the government in J&K. (Image: PTI)
The union home minister addressed a BJP cadre meeting in Jammu on Saturday
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party launched its Manifesto for the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a karyakarta sammelan (gathering of cadres) in Jammu.
Shah, who has been very involved in the meteoric rise of the saffron party throughout the country since around 2014 and the national president has always focused on strengthening the booths, which has made a big difference in the election.
Speaking to party workers on Saturday, he outlined a strategy for the BJP to win the Jammu and Kashmir elections. “I want to give you a very interesting formula. Not just your own family, but also focus on three neighboring families to ensure that everyone comes out to vote in the upcoming polls,” said Shah.
“Committee glass” (each focused on voters on one of the pages of the electoral roll) focused has delivered excellent results in the home minister of the state of Gujarat (where he himself has been the head of the committee glass). And it might produce the desired results in Kashmir, he said.
Shah once again urged the party workers to strengthen the hand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been PM for three consecutive terms and said that he has the best interests of the union territory at heart. He said that development will be done in a phased manner, including for infrastructure, the party will ensure that the dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are protected.
“Only BJP has promised to ensure peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. All of you should have one target and that is for BJP candidates to win all the seats in Jammu. You all should go home and achieve this target,” Shah told party workers at a meeting mentioned.
Invoking the sentiments of Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s party supporters, Shah said that he had laid down his life to see a united India, and as a tribute to him, it should be ensured that the BJP forms the government in J&K.
“Jahaan hue balidan Mukherjee wo Kashmir hamara hai (Where Mukherjee laid down his life, if Kashmir is ours),” this slogan was shouted by the Home Minister receiving a roaring response from the crowd.
Shah also attacked the Congress and the alliance partner National Conference, saying that the family along with the People’s Democratic Party led by Mehbooba Mufti, never cared about the interests of the people, except for selfish politics.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in particular, Shah said that the alliance’s efforts were only to mislead people by promising the country’s recovery.
“Who do you think can give statehood to the people of Jammu and Kashmir?” Shah asked the party workers. He further emphasized that this was the commitment given on the day the repeal of Article 370 was released by the Parliament. “My speech on the 5th and 6th of August 2019 is there for all to see. On the floor of the house, I have said that we will restore statehood at an appropriate time after the assembly elections. How can these parties fulfill this commitment despite not having the power? They have made that promise, although we have been committed since 2019,” he said.
Asserting “no act of terrorism” by the party already in power in Kashmir, Shah specifically attacked the NC, saying that when there was terrorist activity, the Abdullah family led by Farooq Abdullah “fled to England”.
The Home Minister also asserted that after the removal of Article 370, there has been a 70% drop in terrorism cases, and zero incidents of stone pelting.
Jammu and Kashmir will hold elections in three phases, on September 18, September 25, and October 5, with votes to be counted on October 8, along with Haryana.