Jammu & Kashmir Election: Amit Shah To Address Five Rallies In Poll-Bound UT

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to spearhead BJP's campaign for the third phase of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled for October 1.

On Thursday, Shah will address five rallies across different regions, beginning with Chenani and continuing in Udhampur, Bani, Jasrota, and finally concluding with a public gathering in Madh.

In a recent campaign rally in Nowshera, Rajouri district, Shah highlighted that the "improved" security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, dismissing fears of cross-border firing.

He stated, "Concrete bunkers have been made in border areas like Nowshera by us, but I assure you that these bunkers are not needed now." He added, "Agar wo goli chalayenge, to hum gola chalayenge".

Shah also slammed the Congress and National Conference (NC) for their opposition to reservations for various communities, including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, OBCs, and Valmiki Samaj.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's recent comments, he said, "Rahul Gandhi said in America recently that the reservations are not needed in India as those given reservations have progressed enough and are now part of the creamy layer in the country."

In another attack on NC leader Farooq Abdullah, Shah accused him of misleading Gujjars and Bakarwals by suggesting that Pahari reservations would reduce their quota.

He assured voters that under BJP government, "even if they hang themselves upside down, they cannot snatch your reservations as long as Narendra Modi is the PM of the country."

Shah further slammed the NC for prioritising their party flag over the national Tricolour and claimed Abdullah had been spreading fears about terrorism in the Pir Panjal region.

He said, "The government headed by Narendra Modi will bury terrorism so deep under the earth that it can never emerge again in J&K."

Criticising the NC and Congress for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Shah firmly said there would be no talks with Pakistan until terrorism was fully eradicated. He assured the crowd that no terrorist or stone-pelter would be released from jail under BJP's rule.

Shah also claimed that NC wanted to rename iconic locations like Shankaracharya Hillock and Hari Parbat, but he vowed, "since generations, it has been Shankaracharya hill and Hari Parbat Hill and it will continue to be the same for all the generations to come."

He urged voters in Nowshera to support BJP candidate Ravinder Raina, praising his strong voice in Delhi.

He then targeted the Gandhis and Abdullahs, saying, "Gandhis & Abdullahs sell terrorism from their so-called 'Mohabat Ki Daukan', let the elections be over in J&K and their 'Mohabat Ki Daukan' will be shut forever."

He added, "Farooq Abdullah should not worry, after the elections, we will publish a white paper on terrorism which will expose those who ate 'biryani' with the terrorists."

Highlighting the changes in the security situation in the region under BJP rule, Shah noted that there were times when even the Home Minister could not visit Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

Now, he said, "go to Lal Chowk with your grandchildren in a private vehicle and nobody will dare touch you." He also pointed out that Srinagar saw a cinema hall open after 30 years, and Muharram and Janmashtami processions were taken out after 35 years.

Shah promised that the Jammu region would see the development of two tourist destinations similar to Pahalgam and pledged to increase the free health treatment limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

He also assured farmers that their assistance would rise from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, every village with a population of 50 people would be connected by roads.

He highlighted the creation of 40,000 government jobs in the last five years and promised Rs 18,000 annually to the eldest women in families.

LPG cylinders would be capped at Rs 500, with two free cylinders provided every Raksha Bandhan. He also pledged a metro, an international airport in Jammu, water sports at Ranjit Sagar Dam, a 50% reduction in electricity tariffs, Rs 3,000 travel allowance for college students, and laptops for school children.

Lastly, Shah outlined plans for Udhampur to become a pharmaceutical hub and the establishment of a hill development board for the rapid development of Jammu's hilly areas.