By Bunty Mahajan
Jammu: Like the maiden District Development Council elections, Jammu and Kashmir will soon have assembly elections as well, said BJP’s all India general secretary Tarun Chugh here on Thursday.
From the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir soon. Earlier, he had in August 2020 talked about DDC polls and in December-January these were held, he told media persons here.
When pointed out that this time also, PM has talked about assembly elections from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 this year, Chugh responded by saying “Sir, one shall understand the words chosen by Prime Minister. PM’s words are nation’s words’’. “We want elections in Jammu and Kashmir and that is why delimitation process is in progress. Let it be complete,’’ he added.
Pointing out that overall development of Jammu and Kashmir was the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the union territory is progress on his dream of transforming J&K from “terrorism capital’’ to “tourism capital’’.
He criticised both Abdullahs and Muftis for halting the J&K’s development during their seven decade long rule in the erstwhile state. Today when people seek answers from them for their underdevelopment, they start talking of China or Pakistan.
Referring to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s statement about threat from Taliban, BJP leader said that that it was a different India led by PM Narendra Modi. She can ask Imran Khan if she has any doubts about it, he said in reference to IAF’s strike at terror camps in Pakistan’s Balakote. Thousands have sacrificed their lives for upholding country’s integrity and sovereignty, he said, adding that J&K will continue to remain an integral part of India.
Earlier, he along with BJP UT president Ravinder Raina welcomed Retd. IGP, CRPF, Sudhir Singh Dogra, Col. Gurbaksh Singh and Arti Kour Gill in BJP.
Condemning former CM Mehbooba for her anti-National mutterings, Chugh said that J&K has outrightly rejected PDP and the Gupkar Gang. It was J&K’s misfortune that these dynasties killed the development here and whenever public solicited response they start speaking language of China and Pakistan. Their nepotism killed democracy in J&K but now BJP is committed to give the leaders from Ballot box.
Tarun Chugh attacked Congress on the remark by advisor of Punjab Congress President Navjot Sidhu where he stated “J&K occupied by India” and asked Congress leaders from J&K to come clear on it. BJP is committed that whole of J&K is integral part of India including the part that is presently in illegal occupation of Pakistan and China, he added.
Ravinder Raina also welcomed them into the BJP family and said that “The parties like National Conference, Congress and PDP took full liberty to enjoy the privileges of the power corridors, but did nothing to empower this most important pillar of democracy,” and added that it was only the Modi-led government that took “substantial steps” to make sure that the democracy is strengthened at the basic level in the state.
New entrants said that the policies of the BJP leadership are being appreciated by one and all and that is the reason that active social and the political personalities are coming forward to embrace the party to serve the masses.
