STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said India would have given a larger bailout package to Pakistan than sought by Islamabad from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had the neighbouring nation maintained friendly relations with New Delhi.
Addressing an election rally in Gurez assembly segment of Bandipora district, Singh referred to the Prime Minister’s development package for Jammu and Kashmir announced in 2014-15 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Modi ji in 2014-15 announced a special package for development of Jammu and Kashmir which has now reached Rs 90,000 crore. The amount is much bigger than what Pakistan was seeking from the IMF (as bailout package),” the senior BJP leader said.
Singh referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous statement that “we can change friends but we cannot change the neighbours”.
“I said, my Pakistani friends, why have strained relations, we are neighbours. If we had good relations, we would have given more money than the IMF,” he added.
Singh said the Centre gives money to Jammu and Kashmir for development while Pakistan has been misusing financial aid for a long time.
“It seeks money from other countries to run a terrorism factory on its soil,” he added.
The Defence Minister said Kashmir will again become a paradise on earth when Vajpayee’s dream of restoring “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat” in the valley is achieved.
Singh said Pakistan, which has used terrorism as a tool against India, has been isolated at the international forums with some of its trusted allies also stepping back.
“Whenever we have investigated terrorism, we have found Pakistani involvement. Our successive governments have tried to make Pakistan understand that they should stop terror camps but to no avail. Pakistan is frustrated after revocation of Article 370 and is making attempts to revive terror. They do not want democracy to take roots here. (But) India is strong enough that it can take on Pakistan on its soil. If anyone in Pakistan carries out an attack on India, we can crossover and respond,” he added.
Singh said Pakistan has been isolated now.
“Even Turkey, which used to support Pakistan, has not made mention of Kashmir at the UNGA,” he added.
The BJP leader said since his party’s government came to power at the Centre, peace has returned to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The business of terrorism is not going to last very long now,” he added.
Reiterating the promises made in the BJP’s election manifesto, Singh said, “As the defence minister, I assure you that if (BJP candidate) Faqeer Mohammad Khan wins, more people from Gurez will be recruited in the Indian Army.”
He said the biggest demand put forth from Gurez is construction of a tunnel through the Razdan pass that will establish all-weather connectivity with the rest of the country. Electricity is supplied round the clock, internet towers have been installed. Roads have become better and they will be further improved, he added.
“As the defence minister of the country, I assure you that after polls I will bring the concerned minister here to discuss it,” he said.
‘Sea of people in BJP rally in Gurez speaks louder than words’
GUREZ: J&K Waqf Board Chairperson & BJP National Executive Member Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, who is camping in Gurez since many days, on Sunday welcomed Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on his arrival to the border valley on the last day of election campaign.
BJP Gurez candidate Fakir Mohammad Khan accompanied Andrabi.
The Defense Minister was accorded a very welcome by the huge gathering who led him in a procession to the rally sight amid loud sloganeering.
Rajnath Singh congratulated and thanked the people of Shina valley for this unforgettable love and affection.
“I am witnessing a historical change at the ground level in here since 2019. This concrete response is the democratic endorsement of the positive changes which happened in J&K post 2019, paving way for the transformation of the areas which lacked development. The sea of people in BJP rally in Gurez speaks louder than words”, said Rajnath Singh.
He sketched the roadmap of the Modi Government for the special areas like Gurez with prioritised developmental programmes and initiatives.
“We assure you all a future of security, peace, development, stability and economic boost in coming days. It is the BJP only which has the will and power to transform border areas with special infrastructural development projects”, said Rajnath Singh. In her welcome address Dr Darakhshan Andrabi said that BJP’s win from this border constituency will be a powerful reply to those dynastic parties, who have used politics as a tool of coercion and corruption.
“Gurez is all set to write history this time. Dynastic politics has been rejected here. Those who represented this constituency for decades deprived this place from development and progress. Fakir Mohammad Khan will be the new MLA from here & the mission of transformation of Gurez will get a boost”, said Darakhshan.
She said that all worked hard and she expressed gratitude to all leaders & workers who toiled hard at the ground level during past many days for seeking support for BJP candidate.