Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are looking for a government free from “corruption, terrorism, and separatism” for peace and a better future for their children.
Taking a dig at the Congress, National Conference (NC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he termed these political parties as the “biggest enemies” of the Constitution.
Speaking at M A M Stadium in Jammu ahead of the final phase of assembly elections on October 1, Modi referred to the 2016 surgical strikes, stating, “The terror mentors know that if they do anything wrong, Modi will find them even in ‘Pataal’ (netherworld).”
He claimed there is significant enthusiasm for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that residents tired of the rule by the three families associated with Congress, NC, and PDP do not want their return. “They do not want corruption, discrimination in jobs, terrorism, separatism and bloodshed. Instead, they want peace and a better future for their children,” he said in his nearly 45-minute speech.
Modi also said that the heavy polling in the first two phases reflects the mood of the people, urging them not to waste the opportunity for change.
He criticised previous governments for discriminating against the Jammu region and alleged that the Congress party is responsible for generational losses to terrorism. “The Congress is the biggest party responsible for the loss of generations (to terrorism). From the time of Independence, the party’s wrong policies encouraged inimical forces,” he said.
He also noted, “This is the city of temples. Do not waste this opportunity, a BJP government will be formed and it will address all your issues.”
Modi criticised the Congress for questioning the validity of the surgical strikes and accused the party of disrespecting those who serve the nation.
The prime minister said ceasefire violations used to be a routine along the borders in Jammu because “they (Congress) used to show them white flags”. “The BJP government responded to their bullets with mortar shells to set their mind in the right position.”
“Today is September 28 and you know a surgical strike took place on this day (in 2016). India sent a message to the world that this is a new India, and it strikes inside their homes,” he said.
The prime minister said that after his government conducted the surgical strike, the Congress sought proof of it.
“It is a party that speaks Pakistan’s language on surgical strikes. Will you pardon the Congress for such language? The Congress does not respect those who lay down their lives for the nation,” Modi said.
He claimed the Congress has historically lied to the armed forces regarding the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, stating, “Modi did not consider this and implemented OROP in 2014 immediately after our government was formed.”
The prime minister also alleged that the Congress, NC, and PDP are the “biggest enemies” of the Constitution, accusing them of depriving various sections of the population of their voting rights. “The BJP honoured the Constitution and gave voting rights to these brothers and sisters — West Pakistani refugees, Gorkhas and Valmikis — who were forced to live as second-class citizens,” he added.
Modi’s address was part of a high-energy campaign leading up to the final phase of elections, with polling for 40 seats—24 in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir—set for October 1. This was his third visit to Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks as he seeks to bolster support for the BJP in the region.