The PM, Shri #NarendraModi, today addressed an election rally in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir

The Prime Minister said he had often visited Jammu and Kashmir right from the days when he was just an ordinary party worker. But he said he had never witnessed such a situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the people seemed dejected. That phase lasted for 30 years. But now, the Prime Minister said, he is happy that the dreams of the people of the state have been re-ignited, and this is visible from the faces of the people. The Prime Minister urged the people to keep this spirit alive.

The Prime Minister said it is his good fortune that he had got the opportunity to meet lakhs of people from the state. He said no other leader has been blessed by the people of the state as much as he has been. He said he would return this love, with interest, by bringing about development.

The Prime Minister said Kathua was the place where the Jan Sangh had established itself right in the beginning. The Prime Minister said that the huge crowds present at this rally in Kathua today were indicative of how the results of the assembly election would be. He praised the bravery of the people of Kathua, who never flinched despite repeated firing from across the border. He said the people of Kathua inspired everyone with a spirit of patriotism. He asked why previous governments had not allowed the youth of Kathua to join the Army.

He asked the people if any previous government had ever done anything good for them. He said governments in a democracy were formed only for the good of the people. He urged the people to punish previous governments who had not worked for their good.

The Prime Minister said the Congress always joined hands with every party that was coming to power in the state, and then left that party just before elections. He described the Congress party in the state of Jammu and Kashmir as “Ghuspaithiya Congress.” He also urged the people to get rid of the “baap-beta”and “baap-beti” parties. He said family-rule had caused the greatest harm to the country.

The Prime Minister said the whole world had accepted India’s proposal for International Yoga Day. He asked why this could not happen earlier. The Prime Minister said today there was a new respect across the world for India. This was due to the decisive mandate given to the Union Government by 125 crore Indians.

He urged the people to elect the BJP with a full majority in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister said the BJP wanted to work for the poor. He said the Union Government had made a push towards self-certification of documents because it believed that the people should be trusted.

He said the Government was working towards removing the punishment for attempted suicide.

The Prime Minister referred to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, launched by the NDA Government to achieve financial inclusion for the poorest of the poor.

The Prime Minister said he had come to ask for votes, so that development work could be done in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged people to vote in large numbers, howsoever cold it may be. He said the whole world was watching with interest the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, because of the heavy turnout. He congratulated the voters for this turnout, and giving a message to the whole world.