Modi in Srinagar talks up bridging gaps of ‘heart & Delhi’

Modi raises ‘Naya Kashmir’ poll plank in Srinagar rally

By Manish Anand

New Delhi, September 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke of bridging distance of ‘heart and Delhi’ in his maiden election rally in the Kashmir valley. Modi claimed that the “people here are raising slogans of khusamdid PM”.

“The Congress-NC-PDP only divided the people. But the BJP is uniting everyone. We are bridging the distance between the heart and Delhi,” said the prime minister while addressing an election rally in Srinagar.

Modi sharpened his attacks on the Congress, the National Conference, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). “Three families destroyed Jammu and Kashmir,” alleged Modi. He was referring to the political dynasties of Gandhis (the Congress), Abdullahs (NC), and Muftis (PDP).

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Modi asserted that the large turnout of the people in the rally as well as the first phase of the elections signified ‘Naya Kashmir’. “This enthusiasm of the youth, the message of peace in the eyes of the elders and mothers and sisters in such large numbers… this is the new Kashmir,” said Modi.

The prime minister made a special mention of the voters’ turnouts in the first phase of the elections in the Kashmir valley. “Kishtwar recorded over 80 per cent polling, and Doda over 71 per cent. These figures indicate a significant increase in voting percentage, breaking previous records in many constituencies,” said Modi.

The Election Commission has said that 61 per cent polling was recorded for 24 Assembly seats in the Kashmir valley in the first phase of elections. Two more phases of elections are yet to see polling.

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Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held after a gap of over 10 years. This is also the first Assembly poll for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Elaborating on the theme of ‘Naya Kashmir’, Modi spoke of the local body elections as well as rise in the school enrolment in Jammu and Kashmir. “What crime did the innocent children commit that they had to leave school? It was unfortunate! Today, Modi has ensured the return of 50,000 children to school,” said the prime minister.

He also stated that the government “started pre-primary classes in 15,000 schools, benefiting over 1.5 lakh children. Additionally, about 250 schools are being upgraded to PM Shri schools”.

The BJP has fielded a large number of candidates in the Kashmir valley also unlike the Lok Sabha elections. The Kashmir valley accounts for a total of 47 Assembly seats. Jammu region has a total of 43 Assembly seats.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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