PM Modi vows to restore J&K's statehood, promises monetary assistance to farmers, women
PM Modi addresses election rally in Jammu and Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in the Union territory. Addressing a rally atKatra in Reasi district, the PM also promised assistance schemes for farmers and women while training guns on the opposition.
"We have promised in Parliament that we will restore J&K's statehood. The BJP will fulfil this commitment," said PM Modi.
The PM was addressing the gathering a day after the first phase of polls concluded in the UT. He promised Rs 10,000 ($120) annual assistance to farmers, Rs 18,000 ($215)annual assistance tothe woman head of every family, and enhanced the health insurance from the existing Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) to Rs 7lakh ($8,367).
The PM alsoaccused the opposition parties of trying to do Pakistan's bidding by claiming to revoke Article 370 if they gain the mandate in the election.
"They [Opposition] are saying that they will bring back Article 370 here. They want to bring back the era of bloodshed," said PM Modi.
"Pakistan seems happy with the manifesto of the Congress and the National Conference. Pakistan's Defence Minister has openly supported it. The agenda of Congress and NC is the same as that of Pakistan," he added.
Pakistan lauds NC-Congress
PM Modi's statement came in the backdrop ofPakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif stating that Islamabad was on the same page with thepoll alliance of Congress and National Conference on the issue of restoration of Article 370.
"They (the alliance) have made it an election issue. Pakistan and the National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A," Asif said in an interview with Geo News.
Led by the father-son duo of Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, NC has vowed to restore Article 370 while Congress has remained mum on the issue - not even mentioning it in its manifesto.
Asif's comments instantly drew the ire of Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah who called out the alliance, akin to PM Modi, for playing to Pakistani gallery.
(With inputs from agencies)