Salient Points of Hon’ble National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda's Address at a Press Conference in Jammu
- People of Jammu and Kashmir have turned away from terrorism and embraced the path of development and stability, while opposition parties like Congress, National Conference, and PDP are attempting to divide the nation
- Under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the BJP and NDA have made significant progress for the nation, whereas the INDI alliance have fostered corruption and strengthened anti-national forces
- Congress, National Conference, and PDP have consistently done injustice to Jammu. It was Congress that implemented Article 370, delayed Jammu and Kashmir's integration with India, and obstructed the region's development
- Congress and National Conference aim to release terrorists from prison, resume talks and trade with Pakistan, and eliminate reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities
- Previously, Jammu would be closed for 100 days each year, but in the last five years, the region has seen no shutdowns or strikes, instead, it has experienced development and stability
- Alliance between the National Conference and Congress is a pact between two political families, neither party has any genuine connection with the people of Jammu and has consistently maintained a negative attitude towards Jammu
- When the BJP government started granting ST status to the Pahari and Padri communities, the National Conference and Congress sought to sow discord among the people and divide the society
- Those who shed crocodile tears, make empty promises, and manipulate people's emotions are now pretending to be the saviors of democracy. Only the BJP will grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir
JAMMU: Hon’ble National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed a press conference in Jammu on Friday. During the conference, BJP Jammu and Kashmir Incharges Shri G Kishan Reddy and Shri Tarun Chugh, Former J&K Deputy CM Shri Nirmal Singh, J&K BJP Working President Shri Sat Sharma, Senior BJP leaders Kavinder Gupta and Shri Narendra Singh among other leaders were present.
Shri Nadda highlighted that two phases of the elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been successfully completed and it reflects the affection, trust and support of the people for Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and his policies. The key highlight is that these elections were conducted peacefully. In contrast to previous elections, there was no violence, no booth capturing, no firing, and no terrorist incidents during this election. Ambassadors from 16 countries visited to observe the elections and noted that law and order were upheld while citizens actively engaged in the democratic process, resulting in peaceful elections. This marks a historic occasion, as the people of Jammu and Kashmir have opted for the ballot and given a befitting reply to the bullet.
BJP National President Shri Nadda highlighted that the elections in Jammu and Kashmir symbolize peace, stability, and development. The completion of two phases has shown that the people seek tranquility, stability, and progress. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir have opted for peace over violence, while the residents of Srinagar are committed to development. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu region has emerged as a hub for some of the nation’s top institutions. The establishment of a premier AIIMS in Jammu is a special gift from Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji to the region. AIIMS has introduced an exceptional library, along with advanced modular operational theaters and cutting-edge facilities, benefiting the people of Jammu.
Shri Nadda stated that construction of AIIMS in Awantipora has commenced, and institutions such as the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, IIT, and IIM have been set up in the Jammu region. Jammu is gaining recognition as a center for educational institutions and quality learning. In the past, the Jammu region experienced shutdowns for an average of 100 days each year, but over the last five years, there have been no strikes or closures, fostering an environment of peace, stability and development. The support and blessings of the people of Jammu will be vital for the BJP's double-engine government. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir particularly in Srinagar have turned away from terrorism. Before the abrogation of Article 370, approximately 300 to 400 terrorists were produced in Jammu, but in the past nine months, this number has decreased to just four identified terrorists.
BJP National President Shri Nadda expressed concern that while the youth have rejected terrorism and are moving towards peace, stability, and development, opposition parties whether the National Conference, Indian National Congress, or PDP are supporting and encouraging those activists who work against the country. NC's manifesto claims that they will release terrorists from jail, and Congress is supporting them. They have also stated their intention to restart LOC trade. The NC clearly supports talks with Pakistan, which once again shows that the opposition is promoting anti-national forces. Even the Pakistan Defence Minister has affirmed that the NC and Congress are representing their interests in Jammu and Kashmir. The NC and Congress alliance is merely a deal between two political families, they have nothing to do with the people of Jammu and have always held a negative stance towards the region. Only the BJP has genuinely cared for Jammu, ensuring peace and regional balance. The NC and Congress alliance has always supported regional imbalance and has never been serious about addressing the needs of Jammu.
Shri Nadda stated that those who shed crocodile tears made false promises, and played with people's sentiments have now become champions of democracy and speak of statehood. When the Hon’ble Home Minister abrogated Article 370, he mentioned in Parliament that statehood would be provided to J&K. The NC and Congress lie continuously about providing statehood to the region, they lack the power and authority to do so, yet they have included it in their manifesto. Either they are completely unaware of the constitutional position, or they are trying to betray the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood can only be granted by the Central Cabinet and the central government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. The Hon'ble Prime Minister has clearly stated that statehood will be provided by the Central government, but it cannot be granted by the NC and Congress.
BJP National President Shri Nadda highlighted that the NC and Congress have always ignored the Jammu region. AIIMS, IIM, IIT, and IIMC are the nation's pioneer institutions. If Awantipora has received an AIIMS, then Jammu has also been granted one. This is what the BJP means by regional balance. In the development of the Jammu region, 1,800 kilometers of roads have been constructed, including the Delhi-Katra Expressway, Jammu-Poonch Highway, Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, and Chenab’s Asia’s tallest bridge—significant projects showcasing evident development. The Chenab bridge was sanctioned by Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but the UPA government halted its progress for 10 years. After Shri Narendra Modi Ji assumed power, work was restarted and today it stands as Asia's tallest bridge, a source of pride for Jammu and Kashmir. The Border Roads Organization has constructed 443 kilometers in the Jammu and Srinagar regions. Vande Bharat trains are now running from Katra to Delhi, and the rail connections between Srinagar and Baramulla are nearing completion.
Shri Nadda stated that the National Conference and Congress have recently started talking about development, but these parties have never paid attention to the Shahpur-Kandi area of Jammu. The NDA government has declared the Shahpur-Kandi project as a national project, and it is now in its final stages. This project will facilitate easy access to water in the most remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. In the Jammu region, five major hydro projects are also nearing completion. Under the world’s largest insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, health coverage of ₹5 lakh has been provided to 12 crore 36 lakh families, which has now been increased to ₹7 lakh. As people age, insurance companies tend to avoid providing coverage to them. Keeping this in mind, the Modi government has initiated the provision of ₹5 lakh health coverage for 6 crore individuals aged 70 years and above. This is a gift from the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for all individuals aged 70 and over.
BJP National President Shri Nadda stated that during his visit to various regions of the state with the current Jammu and Kashmir BJP Working President Shri Sat Sharma, he was surprised to learn that the hill, tribal, and Gujjar communities were not given reservations. At that time, the people of the Valmiki community in Jammu and Kashmir were limited to becoming sanitation workers. The Valmiki community members were unable to pursue education or obtain any government jobs. When the BJP government started granting ST status to the Pahari and Padri communities, the National Conference and Congress worked to incite conflict among the people and divide society. The people trusted Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and the reservation for the Gujjar-Bakarwal community was not reduced; the Pahari community was also included in it.
Shri Nadda stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has ensured justice for Jammu. For the first time since the abrogation of Article 370, members of the ST community are contesting elections from reserved seats, refugees from Pakistan have been granted the right to vote, and the number of seats has increased from 36 to 43. Congress party and its leaders have wounded Dogra sentiments by asserting they ended the rule of the Maharajas. Congress is accountable for the implementation of Article 370 and the delayed annexation of Jammu and Kashmir which has obstructed the region's development. While Congress continues to diminish Dogra sentiments, the BJP government has declared a gazetted holiday for Maharaja Hari Singh's birth anniversary and recognized Dogri as the state language.
BJP National President Shri Nadda t noted that the National Conference, Congress, and PDP have consistently obstructed panchayat elections and did not support them. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party has successfully conducted three-tier elections and granted reservation benefits to OBCs. The BJP has also made efforts to secure custodial land rights for West Pakistani refugees. This marks the first assembly election in which representatives from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will be nominated to the assembly. Furthermore, it is the inaugural election where nominated members representing Kashmiri migrants will have the right to participate in the assembly.
Hon’ble BJP National President Shri Nadda emphasized that the Congress and National Conference have hurt the sentiments of the Jammu region and stalled its development. The Bharatiya Janata Party has worked to restore this and bring Jammu into the mainstream with a long-term vision. There is significant enthusiasm among the people of Jammu, and strong support for the BJP can be seen in every constituency. Shri Nadda appealed to the public to communicate all relevant issues to the people of Jammu and encourage them to support the BJP.
