Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, in-charge of the first-ever DDC elections in the Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A), is optimistic that the people of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) have finally found a voice by exercising their franchise. They voted with great enthusiasm in the recent elections. This has been made possible by the Union Government’s historic decision to abolish the two Articles that were a hindrance to the betterment of the residents of J&K. Taking time out of his hectic campaign in the DDC elections, the dynamic BJP MP from Hamirpur articulates the roadmap towards the development of J&K which has been left behind in comparison with other States and Union Territories in the exclusive interview to Organiser Senior Correspondent Nishant Kr Azad. He also reveals the international ramifications of the bold decision of the Union Government to repeal Article 370 and Art. 35 (A). Excerpts:
This is the first-ever DDC elections in the Union Territory since the abrogation of special status granted to it under Article 370. The party appointed you as election in-charge. What is the significance of this DDC polls for the Bharatiya Janata Party and the government?
The greatest victory achieved by the people of J&K in the last seven decades is the abrogation of both Article 370 and Article 35(A). Elections to Panchayati Raj, the DDC elections are now being held. After the abrogation, now the people of J&K will be empowered in the real sense. Many parties announced a complete boycott of the DDC elections, but the people of J&K had made up their mind to participate in the polls.
Despite receiving violent threats, they came out to cast their votes, which is another achievement for them. Thus, organising elections and successful voter turnout is indeed a feather in our cap.
Most of the Kashmir-based parties have opposed the August 5 move. They all have come together to counter you. It’s BJP vs the rest. Although BJP has always performed well in Jammu, what do you think about the party’s prospects in the Valley?
For us, both the regions, i.e. Jammu and Kashmir Valley are equally important. We don’t have any bias towards the development of just one particular part of J&K. We are committed to the overall development of the entire region of J&K and are hopeful that we will perform well in Kashmir Valley too.
For the first time in 72 years, West Pakistan refugees and Gorkhas voted in local body polls. Some videos of celebration went viral on social media. How do you see this?
For last seven decades, due to Article 370, the West Pakistani refugees, Gorkhas and people of SC/ST communities like Valmiki were denied fundamental rights. Thus their getting emotional is quite natural. They were denied the right to choose their local representatives. The Forest Act which was implemented in the rest of the country in 2006 wasn’t applicable in the State until 2019. It’s under the leadership of Modiji that the Forest Act was implemented in the State. The primary beneficiaries are the Gujjars and Bakarwals.
Talking about the Forest Act, do you think the communities like Gujjars and Bakarwals getting benefits is going to help the BJP in DDC elections?
We don’t work keeping electoral politics in mind. We work keeping in mind the issues of the various sections of society.
The Gupkar Alliance strongly opposes the revocation of Article 370 and 35(A). Former Chief Minister of J&K, Farooq Abdullah has publicly said that if they are supposed to take the help of Pakistan and China to reverse the decision, they are ready for it. How do you see Gupkar Alliance’s politics?
The decision to abolish Article 370 and Article 35(A) was democratically passed in both the Houses of the Parliament. Those who were always acting as per representatives of China and Pakistan must remember that the people of J&K have rejected their politics. Those who negotiate with Pakistan must remember that Pakistan has always received a befitting reply from India. The people of J&K have participated in the elections in overwhelming numbers and have rejected negotiations with Pakistan.
Is Gupkar Alliance the new Hurriyat of J&K? Do you think that the Congress which earlier was a strong party and at one point even ruling the State is working hand-in-glove with Gupkar gang?
Congress and the Gupkar Alliance are different sides of the same coin, with the same agenda. Earlier, the politics of the State was just about the hegemony of some elite political dynasties of Kashmir. Now they have panicked as they have lost their privileges. They have only one agenda—to encourage the youth of the Valley to pick up arms and stones but to make sure that their children study outside India. They want the youth of the Valley to be diverted towards terrorism. This has done great damage to J&K.
Security has always been a critical issue in J&K. BJP workers across the UT are always the target of insurgents. Almost ten party workers of BJP have been killed by terrorists in J&K this year. In such a scenario, allegations are made that if the BJP Government cannot protect its cadres, how is it going to provide security to the rest of the UT?
Look at the situation in J&K, Kerala and West Bengal, wherever the people are not able to prove that their ideology is better than ours, they have resorted to violence against us. This is extremely bad for democracy. Still, our party members have stood firm despite facing such extreme situations and have also sacrificed their lives. And our founding father Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee himself sacrificed his life for Kashmir. Four generations of our party have struggled to bring J&K on the track of development. We are committed to the development of J&K.
We are witnessing the growth of nationalist sentiment in the Valley. Youth in large numbers are now joining the BJP in Kashmir. Will the killings have a negative impact on the nationalist youth as it will lower their morale?
Absolutely not. Those who are committed to the ideology of nationalism, those who have the spirit of developing J&K will not be affected by any kind of threat. Taking inspiration from freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the youth know that in independent India, J&K can never remain a colony.
The Roshni Act can be regarded as the significant point of rallying in the DDC elections. Names of some prominent political personalities of the State, including veteran leaders of Congress party also were exposed. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has alleged that the BJP made the Roshni Scheme into a scam to fulfil its political aims. She also said that the Roshni scheme was a law passed in the J&K Assembly. So how is it a scam?
The High Court of J&K declared the Roshni Act as illegal and unconstitutional. It’s pretty much evident that the law was made for the few political elites of the State and their families, like Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and politicians of the Congress party. On meagre price, many senior public servants bought plots in the State. The relatives of those who ruled the State for generations were the major beneficiaries. Under the Roshni Act, the Congress, NC and PDP exploited the resources of the State for their benefits.
In the context of J&K, the Rohingya Muslims have always been a major security threat, especially in the Valley. And now they have Indian documents. Now, what is the roadmap of the government in this matter?
We have already made it clear that those who want to become a citizen of India legitimately can apply and will be given citizenship. The earlier government for their vote bank politics compromised with national security, but our government will take adequate measures to check illegal infiltration.
After the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(A), both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had promised that J&K will now march towards the path of development. What are the developmental works done by BJP in this regards?
J&K has been allotted not one but two AIIMS, two central universities, IITs, five medical colleges, Kendriya Vidyalayas, sports stadiums, media institutes, four-lane and six-lane highways to connect it with Delhi. Various developmental works have been undertaken like providing proper houses and bunkers to the people, electricity connection. Earlier, such developmental works were not taken up in J&K but are now progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, it was stated that the people of J&K don’t receive the benefits of the schemes. Now, do you feel that the people are enjoying the benefits under the Modi Government?
We are using technology for the development of UT. The public administration is now becoming transparent and answerable. We are opening bank accounts, making Aadhar cards, due to which money is now directly getting transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries. Congress was not able to even provide them with bank accounts. We also provided them with financial aid and essential food products during the ongoing pandemic.
We have been providing free ration for eight months, depositing Rs 1,500 in the accounts of female account holders in the Jan Dhan Yojna, Rs 1,000 in the bank accounts of widows and physically disabled or Rs 4,000 in the bank accounts of farmers. There are various other schemes for the benefits of the marginalised.
