STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and senior BJP leader Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the youth of Jammu & Kashmir are highly aspirational and BJP promises opportunities for their bright future. He emphasised that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to bring the BJP back to power, having experienced equitable development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
In an Interview with “PTI VIDEO” Dr Jitendra Singh targeted Congress, National Conference and PDP leadership saying that In the guise of Article 370, its benefits were enjoyed by a handful few. People saw the work in the last 10 years. The youth are aspirational and they don’t want to lose this opportunity. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, ” voters are enthused. The BJP has tried to create a new culture here in the last 10 years, where religion, caste are being left behind. When people saw welfare schemes, a faith was instilled in people. The confidence of voters has increased in Jammu. There is a level-playing field. People want BJP,”
He said that In the past ten years, both Jammu and Kashmir have seen equal progress. Prior to 2014, agitations were common, but today, peace and development have taken centre stage.”
On the question of statehood, He said, ” As far as statehood is concerned, it has already been announced by the BJP. PM Modi has been reiterating itat every public meeting. It is an old trick of Congress, they are manufacturing a narrative so that when it happens, they may claim that they were putting pressure. People won’t be fooled.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Actually, the people who are on the streets in Srinagar are happy with the abrogation of Article 370. They are grateful to PM Modi”.
He said, “Because in the guise of it, its benefits were directly enjoyed by the few family-based parties. People saw the work in the last 10 years. The youth are aspirational and they don’t want to lose this opportunity.”
Dr Jitendra Singh said that if this is being made the agenda, then it is because of the parties there and the Congress party. The situation of Congress is delicate. They are unsure about Article 370.
He said, ” I want to challenge them to promise Article 370 again in J&K, they would never say it,”
On a question related to Election in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said, ” First of all, I want to thank PM Modi, there is a celebratory mood there. Everyone is celebrating the festival of democracy. It is happening for the first time. Mainstreaming of democracy in J&K has happened now. People will be grateful to PM Modi.”
He said that there was a long period of time in J&K after independence, when in the disguise of democracy, the spirit of democracy was not there. In the first 2-3 decades, returning officers used to be instructed to reject nomination papers and the ruling party candidate used to be declared winner.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, ” Then came a time when 8-10 pc voting used to happen. It would be influenced by Pakistan. Voters would not come out. It has changed for the first time. Aspirant candidates have increased. Voters are enthused.”
He said, ” The BJP has tried to create a new culture here in the last 10 years, where religion, caste are being left behind. When people saw welfare schemes, a faith was instilled in people. The confidence of voters has increased in Jammu. There is a level-playing field. People want BJP.”
On a question of Rahul Gandhi’s comments on PM Modi, He said that he should understand that Narendra Modi is not only the PM of BJP but also the PM of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi.
He said that Rahul Gandhi had broken the healthy practice of democracy by criticising the PM on Foreign soil.
About Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge comments on PM Modi, he said that it is his wishful thinking, but it is the people who will decide.