Nowshera/Jammu. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections Ram Madhav on Thursday said that the next government in the Union Territory will be of “nationalists” and not “anti-nationals”. Ram Madhav said this while accusing the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of using former militants in their campaign and family members of separatists in the electoral contest in Kashmir.
He said that the BJP will emerge as the largest party in the elections to be held in Jammu and Kashmir as it will win 35 seats in the Jammu region as well as in Kashmir. Madhav said at an election rally here, “We have abolished Article 370 and have brought peace, progress and development in the region during the last five years. This progress and development will continue. We have not worked so hard to hand over the reins of the region to separatists and moderate separatists in 2024.”
He said, “Let us make it clear that the next government to be formed here will be of nationalists, not of anti-nationals. There will be no government led by Mufti and Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir.” Madhav, who is on a campaign in support of Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravindra Raina, said, “We want a government here that continues the development work done by Modi ji in the entire country. We are committed to form such a government.”
Launching a scathing attack on the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the use of former terrorists, he said, “Former terrorists in the Valley are openly campaigning for the National Conference and the PDP.” He said, “Family members of terrorists and separatists are openly contesting elections. Everyone is welcome in democracy. We have no objection. Contest and win the elections.” Warning voters about the imminent dangers if such people reach the assembly, Madhav said, “Remember that there used to be a separatist leader Engineer Rashid as an MLA in the assembly. Ravindra Raina used to quarrel with him. He used to curse India daily. He used to make anti-India statements. Efforts are being made to push many such people into the assembly.”
Seeking support from the people to foil this game, he said, “Therefore, we need to send dozens of Rainas to the assembly. You have to get 35 seats for the BJP in Jammu. Such forces are being promoted by parties in the valley. Such people will be elected in the future. If their voice gets stronger, Jammu and Kashmir will be in grave danger. Please be careful.” On the issue of use of former militants, Madhav said, “This is a fact. This is not an allegation. They are roaming freely. We have also complained to the administration.” He said that the BJP will emerge as the largest party in Jammu and will get majority of seats in the new assembly.
He said, “BJP will get 35 seats in Jammu region. Our good candidates are contesting elections in the valley and will emerge as the largest party in the elections.” Targeting the PDP, Madhav said, “When we formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir ten years ago, our aim was to spread nationalism in the region and silence anti-national voices. We were out of the government due to some issues. We have no regrets.” Targeting the National Conference and PDP, Madhav said, “Our opponents want to take this region backwards instead of taking it forward in development and peace. They said that they will bring back Article 370. We gave rights and reservation to various sections by removing Article 370 and the National Conference says that they want to deprive them of reservation by bringing back Article 370.”
He said, “When Article 370 was in force in Jammu and Kashmir, they used to ask the people to bring more autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Now they are saying that they will bring back Article 370 and autonomy. Decades after that, Abdullah and Mufti Madam are singing the same old tune. We will not let Jammu and Kashmir go back to the old times. So be careful of these parties.” Madhav said that Congress is claiming to give statehood to the people.
He said, “Modiji will give it. It is their (Congress’s) old habit. They (Congress and other opposition parties) are making false promises. Statehood will be restored, but it will be done by Modiji only, no one else. Don’t trust them (opposition). They can’t do anything.” Madhav said that Congress has given Jammu to the National Conference. He said, “Congress, whose MLAs won from here, ran to the Abdullah family to get their support. This is the same National Conference whose leader, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, was part of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. But everyone of them is used to changing colours.” Madhav said that terrorism is being revived again in Jammu.
He said, “They are trying to spread terrorism in Jammu. Terrorists are coming from the other side, hiding in the hills and attacking the army and pilgrims. They will not succeed because the government and the people are here. Every terrorist will be killed.” Expressing confidence that the BJP will emerge as the largest party in the elections, Madhav said, “We have no alliance. We have fielded 20 candidates in Kashmir. We have fielded strong candidates in Jammu. We will win more than 35 seats in Jammu. We will also win in the valley.” Bhasha