STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restoring stability in Jammu & Kashmir, allowing for the recent impromptu visit of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Srinagar’s ‘Ahdoos’ restaurant.
Speaking at a program hosted by Bharat24 news channel, Dr. Singh emphasized that this visit was a testament to the peace and normalcy achieved under the Modi government.
Dr. Singh criticized the recent alliance between the National Conference (NC) and Congress, calling it a “marriage of convenience” born from political desperation. He condemned the alliance as a move driven by self-preservation rather than genuine service to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He argued that this coalition undermines the region’s progress by attempting to revive the divisive framework of “two flags, two constitutions,” which he believes could jeopardize the peace and integration accomplished in recent years.
The Union Minister highlighted the abrogation of Article 370 as a landmark decision that brought justice and equal rights to Jammu and Kashmir, a region he noted had been deprived of these rights for seven decades.
Dr. Singh recalled that Jawaharlal Nehru had predicted the eventual end of Article 370, but it continued due to the vested interests of Congress successors. He praised PM Modi for fulfilling this long-delayed promise. Dr. Singh also reflected on the achievements since the abrogation of Article 370, marking significant progress in democratic processes, governance, development, and security.
He criticized the Congress and NC for prioritizing political survival over national interest, citing the delay in the Shahpur Kandi National Project, which had deprived Jammu of essential water resources and economic benefits until PM Modi’s intervention.
Furthermore, Dr. Singh noted the Congress government’s failure to apply the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Panchayat Act in Jammu and Kashmir, which hindered democratic decentralization and local governance before 2019.
As the 5th anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation approaches, Dr. Singh highlighted it, alongside the resolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, as monumental achievements in the BJP’s commitment to decisive governance. He concluded by crediting PM Modi for fostering peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that under his leadership, the region will play a pivotal role in the country’s future development and emerge as a “crown jewel.”