Union Home Minister Amit Shah made it clear that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is solely in the hands of the Modi government. He targeted opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah, questioning their promises and reminding them that the central government had already pledged to return statehood at the right time, after Assembly polls.
Promise of Statehood
On Sunday, during the BJP’s campaign launch in Jammu, Amit Shah re-emphasised that Modi government is ‘committed’ to the restoration of the erstwhile state’s statehood – once the region is ready for it. This is expected especially after the recent scrapping off of article 370, which made the state lose its special status.
- What Shah Said:
- Shah emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir would be voting under a unified flag and a single constitution for the first time in history.
- He firmly rejected any notion of autonomy, stating, “No power can now talk of autonomy.”
Amit Shah Questioned Opposition’s Credibility
Amit Shah didn’t hold back on attacking Rahul Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah’s promises of restoring statehood. He criticized their claims, stating that it’s misleading to make such promises when only the Modi government has the constitutional authority to make that decision.
- Shah’s Direct Challenge to the Opposition:
- “How can you give back what we have already promised?” he questioned.
- The crowd roared in response, affirming their trust in Modi’s leadership.
- Shah reminded the audience that it was under Congress and the National Conference (NC) that Maharaja Hari Singh was exiled, further portraying the opposition as untrustworthy.
Historic First Elections
Amit Shah portrayed the upcoming Assembly elections as a historic moment for the region, marking the first elections held under the Tricolour and the Indian Constitution.
- Shah’s Vision for Jammu & Kashmir:
- These elections, Shah asserted, will be a turning point in the region’s political landscape.
- “Gone are the days when outsiders decided the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Now it’s in the hands of the people,” Shah declared, underscoring the empowerment of the electorate.
Opposition’s “Dangerous Agenda”
Amit Shah warned the public about the “dangerous agenda” of the Congress-NC alliance. He alleged that these parties want to reverse the benefits of the abrogation of Article 370, specifically targeting the rights given to marginalized communities such as Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Dalits.
- Shah’s Warning:
- “They want to snatch the reservations of OBCs and bring back militancy,” he warned, striking an emotional chord with the voters.
Empowering Jammu’s People
Shah also played to regional sentiments, telling the people of Jammu that the future of their governance lies firmly in their hands. He urged BJP workers to mobilize the electorate and expose the alleged plans of the Congress and NC to reverse the region’s progress.
No Dialogue with Pakistan
In a clear message to the opposition and external players, Shah stated that the government would not engage in any dialogue with Pakistan unless peace is restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Shah on Cross-LoC Trade:
- He also ruled out cross-LoC trade, citing concerns that the proceeds would fund terrorism.
- “The money will be used for militancy,” he claimed, sending a strong signal to voters about the security implications of such actions.
Farooq Abdullah’s Alleged Absence During Militancy
Shah highlighted the failures of past leadership during times of unrest, particularly pointing out that Farooq Abdullah and his family left for England when militancy erupted.
- Shah’s Criticism of Past Leadership:
- “When peace returned, they became Chief Ministers. But when militancy came, they fled to safer places,” Shah alleged, contrasting this with the sacrifices of local youth in fighting terrorism.
Amit Shah’s speech painted a clear picture of the upcoming elections as a defining moment for Jammu and Kashmir. With statehood on the horizon under the Modi government’s leadership, Shah urged voters to reject the opposition’s promises, which he described as misleading and dangerous for the region’s stability.