PM in Srinagar: Kashmiri youths empowered under Modi government
Modi attacked the Congress party, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party and accused them of trampling democracy and 'Kashmiryat'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a selfie with others during a public meeting ahead of the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in Srinagar, Thursday, September 19. PTI
Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are feeling confident that their democratic vote can bring change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an election rally on Thursday (September 19).
Modi also said at a public rally in support of BJP candidates in Srinagar this will be the first step towards their empowerment.
Modi promises statehood
Speaking at the heavily-secured Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, the prime minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party would fulfill its promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
"The youth of my Jammu and Kashmir is no more helpless. He is becoming empowered under the Modi government,” he said.
Modi launched a volatile attack on the Congress party, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party and accused the three parties of trampling democracy and 'Kashmiryat'.
Modi attacks rivals
"Do you remember what they did in the 1980s? They treated Jammu and Kashmir's politics as their own fiefdom. They did not want anyone except their families to come forward? Otherwise, why did they stop the Panchayat, DDC and BDC elections?
"They knew it would bring new faces who would challenge their family rule. What was the damage as a result of their selfishness? The youth kept losing faith in democracy. They felt whether they vote or not, only these three families will come to power," he said.
Democracy restored, says Modi
The prime minister insisted that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had vastly changed over the last five years, and this had restored the youth’s confidence in the democratic process. Assembly elections are on in the state.
"Remember the conditions in which elections were held earlier. The campaigns would stop by 6 pm. Door-to-door campaigns were impossible. The Congress, NC and PDP – these three families – were happy with it," he said.
"Today, the campaign happens late in the night. Now, people are celebrating democracy. Youth have found confidence in democracy again, they feel their vote, their democratic right, can bring change. This hope is the first step towards empowerment," he added.