Srinagar. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that if the neighboring country had maintained friendly relations with India, India would have given a bigger relief package to Pakistan than the one sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Addressing an election rally in Gurez assembly constituency of Bandipora district, Singh referred to the Prime Minister’s Development Package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Jammu and Kashmir in 2014-15.
The senior BJP leader said, “Modi ji had announced a special package for the development of Jammu and Kashmir in 2014-15, which has now reached Rs 90,000 crore. “This amount is much more than the amount demanded by Pakistan from the IMF (as a relief package).” Singh referred to the famous statement of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that “we can change friends, but cannot change neighbours”. He said, “I said, my Pakistani friends, why do we have strained relations, we are neighbours. “If we had good relations, we would have given more money than the IMF.” Singh said that the Center gives funds to Jammu and Kashmir for development while Pakistan has been misusing the financial assistance for a long time.
He said, “He asks for money from other countries to run a terrorism factory on his soil.” The Defense Minister said that when Vajpayee’s dream of restoring “humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat” in the valley is realized, Kashmir will again become heaven on earth. Singh said that Pakistan, which has been using terrorism as a weapon against India, has become isolated on international forums and some of its trusted allies have also withdrawn.
He said, “Whenever we have investigated terrorism, we have only found Pakistan’s involvement. Our governments have tried to convince Pakistan that they should close terrorist camps, but to no avail. After the removal of Article 370, Pakistan is desperate and is trying to revive terrorism. They do not want the roots of democracy to become strong here. (But) India is so strong that it can compete with Pakistan on its soil. If someone from Pakistan attacks India, we can respond by crossing the border.” Singh said that Pakistan is now isolated. He said, “Even Turkey, which supported Pakistan, did not mention Kashmir in the UN General Assembly.” The BJP leader said that ever since his party’s government came to power at the Centre, peace has returned to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “The business of terrorism is not going to last much longer.” Reiterating the promises made in the BJP’s election manifesto, Singh said, “As Defense Minister, I assure you that if (BJP candidate) Faqir Mohammad Khan wins, more people from Gurez will be recruited into the Indian Army.” .” He said that the biggest demand of Gurez is the construction of a tunnel through Razdan Pass, which will provide all-weather connectivity with the rest of the country.
He said that now 24 hours electricity is being supplied in the area, internet towers have been installed. The roads have become better than before and they will be further improved. He said, “As the Defense Minister of the country, I assure you that after the elections I will bring the concerned minister here to discuss this issue.”