BATTAL BALIAN (Udhampur): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a befitting reply to the gun by pressing ballots in large numbers and shown their faith in democracy.
Campaigning for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the state has been “stuck” at the same place for the last 30 years due to lack of development and accused the ruling NC, Congress and PDP of indulging in corruption and looting the state besides “emotionally blackmailing” people.
Attacking those who have given a poll boycott call, the Prime Minister said, “Those people were suppressing the power of ballots with bullets. For the first time people of J&K have strengthened themselves and pressed the ballot and have given their reply to the bullets”.
“I have come for the second time for campaigning in J&K.
For the first time I had gone to Chenab area (Kishtwar) in J&K. But the way polling has taken place, I want to congratulate those voters of J&K who have voted in large numbers and made democracy victorious,” Modi told an election rally here.
In the first phase of Assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir had registered a record 71.28 percent turnout. People had ignored the boycott calls by separatists and cold conditions to cast their votes in 15 constituencies.
Modi said, “Militants are frustrated because they are feeling that despite the use of guns and bombs and killing people, democracy inside the state is still alive”.
Taking a dig at such forces, he said, “Despite their frustration, the people of J&K have shown their faith in democracy”.
The Prime Minister said the people have shown that they are not going to be terrorized.
“With their morale high, they are going to decide the future of J&K in its democracy. I want to congratulate the people – it is not a congratulation from Modi but from 125 crore people of India – every Indian is congratulating you – the entire country is proud of you”, Modi said.
The Prime Minister said, “A message has gone to the entire world –
entire world has known what is in the hearts of J&K people. This message has gone to the world. You (people of J&K) have done a big work”.
Seeking full majority for its party to form the government in J&K, Modi said, “I have full faith that BJP will form the government with full majority in J&K and it will get an opportunity in this regard”.–PTI
