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 at&nbsp;Katra in Reasi district, the PM also promised assistance schemes for farmers and women while training guns on the opposition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We have promised in Parliament that we will restore J&amp;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)&nbsp;annual assistance to&nbsp;the woman head of every family, and enhanced the health insurance from the existing Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) to Rs 7&nbsp;lakh ($8,367).

The PM also&nbsp;accused the opposition parties of trying to do Pakistan's bidding by claiming to revoke Article 370 if they gain the mandate in the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"They [Opposition] are saying that they will bring back Article 370 here. They want to bring back the era of bloodshed," said PM Modi.&nbsp;

"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.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/explained-kashmir-question-article-370-story-from-kashmir-accession-to-parliaments-integration-668767" target="_blank">Watch |&nbsp;Explained: Kashmir question &amp; Article 370 | Story from Kashmir accession to Parliament's integration</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/explained-kashmir-question-article-370-story-from-kashmir-accession-to-parliaments-integration-668767/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>Pakistan lauds NC-Congress</h2>

PM Modi's statement came in the backdrop of&nbsp;Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif stating that Islamabad was on the same page with the&nbsp;poll alliance of Congress and National Conference on the issue of restoration of Article 370.&nbsp;

"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.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-rally-in-j-k-indian-pm-says-three-families-gave-only-fear-anarchy-to-valley-760066">Also read |&nbsp;Modi rally in J-K: Indian PM says three families gave only fear, anarchy to Valley</a>

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.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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.

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 at Katra 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 to the woman head of every family, and enhanced the health insurance from the existing Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) to Rs 7 lakh ($8,367). The PM also accused 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. Watch | Explained: Kashmir question & Article 370 | Story from Kashmir accession to Parliament's integration Pakistan lauds NC-Congress PM Modi's statement came in the backdrop of Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif stating that Islamabad was on the same page with the poll 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. Also read | Modi rally in J-K: Indian PM says three families gave only fear, anarchy to Valley 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)

PM Modi vows to restore J&K's statehood, promises monetary assistance to farmers, women

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Saturday (Sep 7) held a public meeting in Jammu in preparation for the upcoming elections in the Indian Union Territory&nbsp;of Jammu and Kashmir. During his speech, he took a shot&nbsp;at Congress and the National Conference (NC) for allegedly misleading the public about restoring the&nbsp;statehood of the region.

“The Congress and NC are saying that they will restore statehood. Tell me, who can give it (statehood)? Only the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can. So stop fooling the people. We have said that at an appropriate time after the election, we will give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. We have said this in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi should stop misleading the people,” Shah said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistani-army-officially-accepts-role-in-1999-kargil-war-756652">Pakistani Army officially accepts role in 1999 Kargil War</a>

Referring to the calls by Leader of the Opposition&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi and the National Conference for the restoration of statehood, Shah questioned how they planned to achieve it. He said, "I want to ask Rahul Baba and Abdullah sahab, how will you restore statehood? Stop misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir... this can only be done by the Union government and PM Modi."

Shah also accused opposition parties of exploiting the former state. Speaking at a gathering of BJP supporters in Palauru, Jammu, Shah brought up the scrapping of Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this election would mark the first time voters in the region would be voting under one national flag and one Constitution.

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"They (opposition parties) say they want to talk to Pakistan. Let me tell you, until there is peace, there will be no talks with Pakistan... Three families - Congress, the National Conference's Abdullah family and PDP's Mufti family - want to take Jammu and Kashmir back to the age of corruption. They say they will bring back the old arrangement... They speak of bringing back autonomy, let me state categorically that no power can talk of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir," Shah said.&nbsp;

“I want to tell you (Gandhi), no matter how much effort you put in, we will not let the reservation of Gujjars, Bakarwal, Paharis, and Dalits, be touched. There will be no talks with Pakistan,” Shah said.

The Jammu and Kashmir flag lost its official standing after Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi's government removed Article 370 from the Indian Constitution in August 2019.

Jammu and Kashmir's assembly election, the first since December 2014, is scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1.&nbsp;The results will be announced&nbsp;on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Saturday (Sep 7) held a public meeting in Jammu in preparation for the upcoming elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Saturday (Sep 7) held a public meeting in Jammu in preparation for the upcoming elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. During his speech, he took a shot at Congress and the National Conference (NC) for allegedly misleading the public about restoring the statehood of the region. “The Congress and NC are saying that they will restore statehood. Tell me, who can give it (statehood)? Only the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can. So stop fooling the people. We have said that at an appropriate time after the election, we will give statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. We have said this in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi should stop misleading the people,” Shah said. Also read: Pakistani Army officially accepts role in 1999 Kargil War Referring to the calls by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the National Conference for the restoration of statehood, Shah questioned how they planned to achieve it. He said, "I want to ask Rahul Baba and Abdullah sahab, how will you restore statehood? Stop misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir... this can only be done by the Union government and PM Modi." Shah also accused opposition parties of exploiting the former state. Speaking at a gathering of BJP supporters in Palauru, Jammu, Shah brought up the scrapping of Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this election would mark the first time voters in the region would be voting under one national flag and one Constitution. #WATCH | Jammu: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "It is a coincidence that the first election rally of BJP is starting on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi... The upcoming elections are historic elections. For the first time since the country's independence, the voters of Jammu and… pic.twitter.com/zRHWYaSg6P — ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024 × "They (opposition parties) say they want to talk to Pakistan. Let me tell you, until there is peace, there will be no talks with Pakistan... Three families - Congress, the National Conference's Abdullah family and PDP's Mufti family - want to take Jammu and Kashmir back to the age of corruption. They say they will bring back the old arrangement... They speak of bringing back autonomy, let me state categorically that no power can talk of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir," Shah said. “I want to tell you (Gandhi), no matter how much effort you put in, we will not let the reservation of Gujjars, Bakarwal, Paharis, and Dalits, be touched. There will be no talks with Pakistan,” Shah said. The Jammu and Kashmir flag lost its official standing after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government removed Article 370 from the Indian Constitution in August 2019. Jammu and Kashmir's assembly election, the first since December 2014, is scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1. The results will be announced on October 8. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K polls: Amit Shah slams Congress for ‘misleading’ people about 'restoring statehood'

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto. Mufti said that if the National Conference (NC) and Congress were willing to accept the PDP's manifesto and align on resolving the problems of Kashmir, she would support their alliance without contesting any seats. "Alliance and seat sharing are faraway things. If the National Conference and Congress are ready to adopt our agenda, we will say they should contest on all seats, we will follow them because for me solving the problem of Kashmir is more important than anything else..." she said. "When we allied earlier also, we had an agenda, when we allied with the BJP, we had an agenda which they agreed to but the alliance between the National Conference and Congress is not happening on the agenda, it is happening on seat sharing," the PDP leader added. Resumption of trade across LOC In the PDP manifesto, Mufti has advocated for the resumption of trade across the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. The National Conference has similarly included this point in its "12 guarantees" within its manifesto. The PDP leader also noted the challenges that have arisen since the abrogation of Article 370, remarking, "The issue has become even more complicated after the removal of Article 370. We will take Jammu and Kashmir out of the quagmire of difficulties." Free electricity, no water taxes, and more The manifesto outlines various socio-economic initiatives designed to ease the difficulties faced by the people. Also read: Bomb blast in southwestern Pakistan kills two children, injures 16 others Mufti promised, "We will provide free electricity up to 200 units, abolish water taxes, and there should be no water meters. We will also offer a one-time settlement for old electricity bills. For the poor, we will implement the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed scheme again, providing 12 cylinders a year." "We will double social security benefits like old age pensions and widow pensions. We will ensure that all government jobs are filled, and temples and gurdwaras will receive free electricity," she said. Return of Kashmiri Pandits She also committed to facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, emphasising that her party would take all necessary steps to ensure their safe return. Mufti clarified that the upcoming elections are not just about statehood or seat sharing, but about larger goals. "For me, this election is not for statehood or seat sharing... We have a bigger goal... We are fighting for dignity, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," she continued. (With inputs from agencies)

Mehbooba Mufti reveals PDP manifesto: Trade across LOC, return of Kashmiri Pandits, and other key points

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18.&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Congress President Malikarjun Kharge went to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar before leaving for Jammu. Rahul was on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

In the meeting, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was also present along with a few party leaders. Minutes after Rahul Gandhi left Abdullah’s residence, the NC president spoke to the media and announced that the National Conference would have a pre-poll alliance with Congress and CPI(M) in the upcoming elections.&nbsp;

“Alliance on all 90 assembly seats between the two parties. Paperwork to be finalised by tonight. Congress, NC and CPI(M) are together. We will work together and fight the elections. We are hopeful that statehood will be returned. No doors are closed for anyone,” said Farooq Abdullah.&nbsp;

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that his party and the INDIA bloc are committed to ensuring the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-live-sc-seeks-status-report-from-cbi-state-govt-752144">Kolkata rape-murder case: SC orders state govt on peaceful protesters</a>

“It’s our priority to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We wanted it to be done before elections, but we are hoping the statehood will be restored soon. This is the first time since independence that a state has become a union territory. We are very clear that it’s a priority for us to get their democratic rights back. The congress party is always there with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Congress president said, “We want to keep the entire opposition together. BJP couldn’t ensure elections in J&amp;K. The party announced polls under pressure in the wake of Supreme Court directions. I want to put it on record that BJP can’t suppress the peoples’ voices anymore in J&amp;K. Congress is committed to work for the welfare of the people of J&amp;K. Tall claims of BJP that post Article 370, terrorism has been wiped out in J&amp;K, have fallen flat. Infiltration has gone up and terrorism incidents have also witnessed a spike.”

The Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will start on September 18 and will be held in three phases.&nbsp;

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18.

Political party National Conference (NC) has announced a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory starting September 18. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Congress President Malikarjun Kharge went to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence in Srinagar before leaving for Jammu. Rahul was on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In the meeting, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was also present along with a few party leaders. Minutes after Rahul Gandhi left Abdullah’s residence, the NC president spoke to the media and announced that the National Conference would have a pre-poll alliance with Congress and CPI(M) in the upcoming elections. “Alliance on all 90 assembly seats between the two parties. Paperwork to be finalised by tonight. Congress, NC and CPI(M) are together. We will work together and fight the elections. We are hopeful that statehood will be returned. No doors are closed for anyone,” said Farooq Abdullah. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that his party and the INDIA bloc are committed to ensuring the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case: SC orders state govt on peaceful protesters “It’s our priority to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We wanted it to be done before elections, but we are hoping the statehood will be restored soon. This is the first time since independence that a state has become a union territory. We are very clear that it’s a priority for us to get their democratic rights back. The congress party is always there with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” said Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, the Congress president said, “We want to keep the entire opposition together. BJP couldn’t ensure elections in J&K. The party announced polls under pressure in the wake of Supreme Court directions. I want to put it on record that BJP can’t suppress the peoples’ voices anymore in J&K. Congress is committed to work for the welfare of the people of J&K. Tall claims of BJP that post Article 370, terrorism has been wiped out in J&K, have fallen flat. Infiltration has gone up and terrorism incidents have also witnessed a spike.” The Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will start on September 18 and will be held in three phases.

NC announces pre-poll alliance with Congress for upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir

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PM Modi vows to restore J&K's statehood, promises monetary assistance to farmers, women

J&K polls: Amit Shah slams Congress for ‘misleading’ people about 'restoring statehood'

Mehbooba Mufti reveals PDP manifesto: Trade across LOC, return of Kashmiri Pandits, and other key points

NC announces pre-poll alliance with Congress for upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir