Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dared Opposition parties to restore Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Post revocation of Article 370, the Congress-led INDI alliance (INDIA bloc) tried to spread misconception about it in other states. But we have made Article 370 history. I challenge Congress and other parties… do they have the guts to restore it. If they do, people will never see their face,” Modi said in an election rally in Udhampur.
In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Union minister Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore are seeking their third successive terms from Udhampur and Jammu, respectively.
Modi claimed the situation in Jammu & Kashmir has greatly improved over the last decade, especially after abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
“Terrorism, separatism, Article 370, stone pelting, bandhs (strike calendar of the separatists) are no more poll issues. People in Kashmir including women give me a lot of blessings because their life has changed. They know that their sons now won’t go astray,” the PM said.
“Now schools are not being burnt, they are decorated. Now, there is a lot of development of infrastructure in health, education, industry and other sectors,” he added.
He also said that his government was committed to restoring statehood to Jammu & Kashmir.
“The time is not far when assembly elections will be held in Jammu & Kashmir also. Jammu & Kashmir will get back its state status. You will be able to share your dreams with your MLAs, and your ministers,” Modi said.
Interestingly. Congress has only promised restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir if voted to power at the Centre. On the other hand, Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party have been demanding that Article 370, which accorded special status to J & K, be restored.
