On Saturday 22nd November 2014 the Prime Minister addressed a massive campaign rally in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. In a speech filled with hope and aspiration, the Prime Minister said that he has come to Kashmir with the message of development and to continue from where former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has started. “The whole of India is with you,” the Prime Minister told the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shri Modi said that Kashmir has a very special place in his heart and added that several people are wondering why the Prime Minister has visited Jammu and Kashmir so many times after taking oath as Prime Minister. “Whenever I have come as PM I have come for development and I have come to wipe your teats,” said the Prime Minister. Shri Modi drew a parallel with his time as CM when he would constantly visit Kutch. He recalled that like Kashmir, Kutch is also on the border and has a significant Muslim population. He further recalled how earlier Kutch was seen as a punishment posting but in the last decade it has emerged as among India’s fastest growing districts. Shri Modi affirmed, “I can tell you- if Kutch can be developed then Kashmir can also be developed.”
The Prime Minister recalled the efforts of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that his words struck a very positive note in the valley. Shri Modi expressed his commitment to continue the good work started under Shri Vajpayee.
Making a strong pitch to the voters to elect the BJP, the Prime Minister pointed, “For 50 years who did you give J&K to? Can only 2 families run Jammu and Kashmir? Does the youth here not have the strength to run the State?” He added, “The two families here have an understanding. One will rule then the other will come and then the other will come back and so on. There is a (regular) contract to loot.”
He went on to state his vision for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, including the growth of tourism in the state and providing employment to the youth. Shri Modi also said that there is no need to link religion with politics and that irrespective of who worships where, the development of every person is important.
Shri Modi took on the state government for the lack of development and also criticized it for viewing the recent floods as an opportunity to loot the state. MoS Shri Jitendra Singh and other top leaders were present during the occasion.