‘Have been able to win your hearts, will keep trying hard’: PM Modi in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his first visit to Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, said that his government will continue working hard to win the hearts of people in the Valley.

“Whenever I came here after 2014, I have always said that I am working hard only to win your hearts and I am seeing that I have been able to win your hearts. I will keep trying hard. This is Modi ki guarantee and you know that ‘Modi ki guarantee’ means, there is a guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee”, PM Modi said while addressing a public gathering in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "J&K has been a huge victim of 'Parivarvad' and corruption. The previous governments here had left no stone unturned to destroy our J&K Bank, by filling the bank with their relatives and nephews, these 'Parivarvadis' have… pic.twitter.com/6PJVAlcI3Y

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

The PM spoke about the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir” programme at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium where he inaugurated multiple projects related to agriculture and tourism.

The NDA government led by PM Modi faced severe criticism from the regional parties and other opposition parties of the country after it abrogated the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Today’s event is seen as part of PM Modi’s campaign ahead of the upcoming general elections expected to be held in April and May, the first since the region lost its autonomy. The last election for the region’s legislative assembly was held in 2014.

Addressing a public rally in Bakshi Stadium, the PM said that developed Jammu and Kashmir is a priority for developed India.

“Today, I got the opportunity to inaugurate several development projects related to tourism… The power of development, tourism possibilities, empowerment of farmers, and the leadership of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. The path to building a developed Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from here. J-K is not just a region; it is the forehead of India and a head held high is the sign of development. Viksit J-K is the priority of Viksit Bharat…” the PM said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also hit out at the opposition and Congress regime, saying that the people of the region were deprived of the schemes by the Centre for the welfare of the poor.

“There was an era when law implemented in other parts of the country could not be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. There was an era when schemes for the welfare of the poor were implemented across the country, but our brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of the benefits. And see now, how the times have changed,” he added.

The PM also said that Jammu and Kashmir touching new heights of development after the abrogation of Article 370. “Congress was misguiding not only people of Jammu and Kashmir but the entire nation on Article 370,” he said.

At the Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ event, PM interacted with beneficiaries from several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He also unveiled multiple developmental projects worth Rs 6,400 crore. (ANI)