DODA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took dynastic parties like the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress to task at a public rally in Doda on Saturday. He devoted considerable time to his speech stressing the fact that the dynasts of these parties did not allow local youth to emerge as leaders in the political arena. Instead, they always promoted members of their own families to push ahead of others and take leadership roles.
In this context, Modi said that as soon as the BJP came to power in 2014, it started focussing on promoting the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. Earlier, elections for panchayats, BDCs (Block Development Councils) and DDCs (District Development Councils) were not held. By holding these elections, the BJP was instrumental in the emergence of at least 30,000 to 35,000 youth as political leaders at local levels all across J&K, he pointed out.
The elections in J&K are always special and right since 1947, enemy nation have cast an evil eye on those living in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. These challenges have been tackled and the dynastic parties too are on the backfoot now, Modi said. All through the past several decades, the dynastic parties ignored common people and mislead the masses for their own benefits. These parties never allowed local leaders to emerge. However, things have changed drastically regarding hold of these parties as they are steadily losing ground.
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I salute the youth of J&K, be they daughters or sons, Modi said, adding they are the ones who have ensured that the dynasts are on the run now. Incidentally, the BJP has given mandate to Shagun Parihar, 30, from Kishtwar. Her family has suffered the hands of terrorists as her father and uncle were shot dead while they were returning home from their shop. “Ek taraf 3 khandaan hein aur doosri taraf J&K ka youth hai,’’ Modi said, in an apparent bid to win over youth. “Ek khandaan NC ka hai, ek Congress ka aur ek PDP ka hai.’’
“In this Chandrbhaga valley, terrorists ruled and streets got deserted when dusk fell. Today, things are very different and terrorists are on the backfoot now,’’ Modi said. “This has been possible because the people of J&K fought back terrorists and succeeded. But this has cost the people their lives and it could be done only because of their sacrifices.’’
“Beti Shagun meri candidate hi nahin, aatankwaad ke khilaaf ladai ka ek saboot hai.’’ Modi said, alluding to the sacrifices made by her family.
At one time, the leadership of dynastic parties was unresponsive to the needs of the people, be they schools, colleges, or health facilities. They used to make people do protests and only then anything positive used to happen. However, things have changed now and be it schools, colleges or hospitals, these institutions have been made all over what was erstwhile Doda compring Doda, Kisthwar and Ramban districts. “We have ensured schools, colleges and even a medical college in Doda,’’ he said.
He said a new policy is in place in Jammu & Kashmir for promoting film shooting at its beautiful locales. In the coming days, it will ensure that film crews start visiting these places as used to happen before the advent of terrorism, Modi said.
He also made a mention of the improved rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir. He pointed out that soon it will become possible for anyone to travel from any part of India to places in Kashmir valley as far as Baramullah. He also touched upon some of the points mentioned in the BJP manifesto that was released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Jammu some days ago.
