Katra (J&K), Sep 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to vote wisely in the ongoing Assembly elections, highlighting the importance of their choice for the region’s future. During a rally in Katra, Modi called for an end to the dominance of the Congress, National Conference (NC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), accusing these parties of “inflicting wounds” on the region for decades.
Speaking to the crowd at Katra, the base camp for Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Modi criticized the Congress for allegedly disrespecting Hindu gods and goddesses. He claimed this was part of a “well-thought-out conspiracy” influenced by a “Naxal mindset.” Addressing the crowd, he asked, “Should they not be punished for this?”
This rally marked Modi’s second appearance in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday and his third in the past week, following events in Srinagar earlier that day and Doda on September 14. Modi underscored the election’s importance, stating, “This election is about shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. It aims to elevate the ‘new Jammu and Kashmir’ to new heights.”
The Prime Minister accused the Congress, NC, and PDP of causing lasting harm to the region and called on voters to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by selecting the lotus symbol on the ballot. He asserted that the BJP had prioritized the interests of the region and ended long-standing discrimination. Modi concluded his address with the slogan, “Abki baar, BJP sarkar.”
These rallies in Srinagar and Katra came shortly after the first phase of the Assembly election, which recorded over 61 percent voter turnout across 24 constituencies in seven districts of South Kashmir and the Chenab Valley region.
