Amit Shah Assures Full Statehood for Jammu & Kashmir Post Assembly Elections

Jammu : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a public rally at Paloura Top on Saturday, assured that full statehood would be restored to Jammu & Kashmir after the upcoming assembly elections. Shah highlighted that this is the first election to be held under the national flag and the Constitution of India, following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government. He called the upcoming elections "historic," as for the first time since India's independence, voters in Jammu & Kashmir will cast their ballots under the Indian tricolor.

Shah also took aim at the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, accusing them of attempting to revive the old system. He firmly stated that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government would not tolerate terrorism, separatism, or injustice against any community, including Gujjars, Pahadis, Bakarwals, and Dalits, who have been granted reservations by the BJP-led government.

Speaking at the rally, Shah directly addressed Rahul Gandhi, saying, "No matter how hard you try, we will not allow the reservations of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Pahadis, and Dalits to be taken away. Moreover, there will be no dialogue with Pakistan until peace is restored."

Reiterating the significance of the upcoming election, Shah emphasized, "For the first time since independence, voters in Jammu & Kashmir will vote under one flag, the national tricolor, and under one Constitution—the Indian Constitution, as drafted by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar."

Shah further mentioned that the BJP has been raising awareness about the divisive agenda of the National Conference and Congress. He shared, "I had earlier exposed their agenda through a press conference, but today I stand before you because I trust you more than the media. I have been one of you, serving as a booth president myself."

He also remarked that with the abrogation of Article 370, the women of Jammu & Kashmir have gained rights they were denied for 70 years. Shah accused the National Conference and Congress of wanting to strip these rights away but expressed confidence that the people would not allow this to happen. He further warned that these parties seek to release individuals involved in stone-pelting and terrorism from jail, which could reignite violence in peaceful areas like Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri. Shah questioned, "Will you allow terrorism to return to these areas?"

It is noteworthy that the elections for the 90-member Jammu & Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases. The first phase of polling is scheduled for September 18, followed by subsequent phases on September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.