Jammu can resolve Kashmir problem: Modi in J&K

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said only people of Jammu could resolve the Kashmir issue. “I am saying this on the basis of unity displayed by people of Jammu during the two month-long agitation on the Amarnath land issue,” Modi said while addressing an election rally at Bishnah, about 30 km from Jammu in support of Shipli Verma, widow of Kuldeep Verma, who sacrificed his life over the issue of Amarnath land transfer.

“If Jammu people rise to the occasion, the Kashmir issue will be automatically resolved,” he said. People braved rain and icy winds to attend the rally.

Asking people to give “a fitting reply to those political parties which have always played vote bank politics”, Modi said, “Congress is a century-old party but has failed to find a solution to discrimination against Jammu and Kashmir.”

“In our war against terrorism we do not need political parties who does ‘mujra’ than taking stern action against perpetrators of terror. “We need parties who can sternly fight with terrorism.” Modi said it all in front of euphoric audience in Bishnah Assembly segment in Jammu on Tuesday.

Ridiculing Congress, Modi said it cannot change the destiny of young India, cannot resolve issue of Jammu & Kashmir and cannot change the destiny of youth. The only contribution of the Congress in their war against terrorism is recall of most stringent anti-terror law POTA.

Modi said terrorists attacked Gujarat and were punished. He said the recent results of Assembly elections clearly showed that BJP’s stand on terrorism was supported by common voters in all these States. He said out of 629 Assembly seats where elections were help BJP won 294 seats and Congress won 265 seats yet Congress is busy doing propaganda that terrorism is a non-issue in this country.

Modi said in India every single human being want to wage a decisive war against terrorism in order to lead peaceful life.

Hundreds of people climbed roof tops of near by houses and braved chilly winds and heavy downpour, without any whisper, to catch a glimpse of “Lion of Gujarat” during his first visit to Jammu after becoming Chief Minister. And soon after Modi’s helicopter appeared on the horizon chants of “bham bham bhole” brought back memories of 62 day long agitation.

Modi, smartly dressed in sky blue shirt, khakhi and black vasket, roared and targeted Congress for not paying attention to basic needs of the masses. People of Jammu, suffering pangs of discrimination, nodded their heads in silence. Shivering in their boots, drenched clothes, eyelids frozen, mouths half open, people stood in rapt attention to find some solace.

Holding Congress responsible for Amarnath land row Modi delivered a crisp message to the people of Jammu. “Punish Congress, because it is responsible for all your miseries. In the last 50 years you voted Congress and in return people like Kuldeep Verma had to sacrifice their lives.

When Modi equated the sacrifice of Kuldeep Verma with that of Shaheed Bhagat Singh enlightened crowd responded with chants of ‘Bham bham bhole’ and thunderous applause.

“Vote Congress out and change your destiny,” Modi said.

Twenty five minutes of ‘Modi speak’ had a cascading effect on the mindset of voters and could very well alter the equation in favour of BJP candidates in the fray. In his presence widow of Kuldeep Verma and BJP candidate from Bishnah Shilpi Verma said she is fighting to seek justice for her husband. “I am contesting to reach Assembly to raise questions and seek answers from the government of the day who did not even spare mortal remains of my husband”,Shilpi said. Modi also sought votes for BJP candidates in Jammu region during the rally and assured people of Jammu that the region would witness progress soon if BJP Government is voted to power.

During his J&K visit, Modi also visited Vaishnav Devi temple.