Punish J&K's offenders, Modi tells voters

Hitting out at National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress once again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged voters in Jammu and Kashmir to punish all “three offenders” in the ongoing Assembly polls.

Addressing election rallies in Kathua and Rajouri districts of Jammu region, he said, “Aren’t children of other families talented enough to run Jammu and Kashmir? Why should only father-and-son party (NC) and father-and-daughter party (PDP) be allowed to come to power? Dynastic politics can never become the voice of the people.” The star BJP campaigner also didn’t spare the Congress. “The Congress sneaks into every government that is formed in the state but withdraws from it just before the elections and starts attacking these dispensations,” he added.

The prime minister urged voters of the state to punish all “three offenders” (the NC, the PDP and Congress) by voting in favour of BJP. “Why do the people elect a government and why you elect these non-performing parties to power? Won’t you punish the guilty leaders and their parties,” he asked. “Vote for the BJP, I promise you that the world will recognise your strength,” Modi told the cheering crowd.

The prime minister praised people for their enthusiasm and their hope for the future.
“I often visited Jammu and Kashmir right from the days when I was just a party worker. I came here always but for the first time I saw people casting their votes in huge numbers. The whole world is surprised with such a huge turnout in the J&K elections.

“The people sent a great message to the world that they want peace and developments here,” he added.

Stating that the entire world has accepted India’s status as a powerful nation, Modi said, “Is the entire world now talking about India? It is not an easy thing that within six months, the entire world accepts the power of our country. This is not happening due to Modi. This is happening due to you.” This was Modi’s fourth election rally in J&K and his eighth visit to the state since he took over as the prime minister in May this year.

Eighteen constituencies will vote on Sunday in the fourth of the five-phase Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.