Union Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah launched a fierce critique of the Congress and National Conference (NC) manifestos, accusing them of wanting to revert to the old system and reopen talks with Pakistan, but he reiterated, “There will be no talks with Pakistan until there is peace.” Shah argued that the Congress-NC agenda includes spreading terrorism, removing reservations for Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, and Dalits, freeing criminals, and restarting Line of Control (LoC) trade with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
Laying out the BJP’s 10-point agenda for the elections, Shah directly addressed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, “Congress and NC want to bring back two flags and an article in Jammu and Kashmir. Will you allow that? They want to take away the reservations of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, and Dalits. But no matter how hard you try, we won’t let this happen.” He emphasised that the abrogation of Article 370 granted rights to women, and warned that the opposition wants to strip away those rights and enable the spread of terrorism in regions like Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda. He also criticised the idea of restarting LoC trade, claiming it would fund terrorism.
Amit Shah further accused three prominent political families—the Gandhis, Abdullahs, and Muftis—of looting Jammu and Kashmir and seeking to restore a system of inequality in the region. He dismissed their talk of granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, claiming they are misleading the public. Shah also targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying he was deceiving the people by promising statehood when only the central government, led by Prime Minister Modi, can restore it. He affirmed that statehood would be given at the right time after elections, a promise already made in Parliament.
In a pointed attack on the NC and PDP, Shah remarked on past chief ministers who governed during times of peace but fled to Delhi at the first sign of unrest, only to be found “drinking coffee in bars.” He praised the BJP government for reducing terrorism in the region by 70% and highlighted how pilgrimages like the Amarnath Yatra are now conducted without fear.
Addressing a ‘Karyakarta Sammelan,’ Shah urged party workers to not only defeat their opponents but also “seize their deposits.” He drew historical parallels to Pandit Prem Nath Dogra’s movement, claiming PM Modi completed the work on August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated. He noted the symbolic significance of BJP’s first election rally on Ganesh Chaturthi, predicting that the upcoming elections would be historic—the first held under the tricolour and the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, without the shadow of Article 370.
Shah expressed confidence that the BJP would fight with full strength and win the elections. He called on BJP booth workers to go door-to-door, emphasising the importance of local grassroots campaigning to tell voters about the changes brought to Jammu. He urged them to engage with voters, asking each worker to bring along three other families to vote before noon to ensure victory. Shah also held a press conference to expose the Congress-NC’s divisive agenda.
On Friday, Amit Shah officially released the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, which includes 25 promises, focusing on women, youth, Kashmiri Pandits, temple restoration, and eliminating terrorism. The elections will be held in three phases—on September 18, 25, and October 1—with 90 constituencies up for grabs, including 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). These will be the first elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, with 88.06 lakh eligible voters according to the Election Commission.
(With inputs from ANI)