Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Saturday, 23 June, to address a rally to mark the "historic martyrdom anniversary" of Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee, days after his party's decision to withdraw support from the People’s Democratic Party-led government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Starting his address with a roaring ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’, Shah said “raising such slogans shows BJP’s patriotism.”
“Syama Mukherjee came to Jammu and Kashmir for the benefit of the state and sacrificed his life for it,” Shah said at the rally, meant to observe Mukherjee's 'Balidan Diwas'.
Recalling the earlier days of the alliance, the BJP chief said, his party told the PDP that “there will be three big conditions — development of the valley, action against terrorists and that J&K will remain with India no matter what,” News18 reported.
Slamming its former ally, he alleged, “Under the PDP government, journalists were murdered, children were handed with stones, Army men were killed. When things became untenable we decided to pull out.”
Sharpening the attack, he said, “the PDP was not interested in sharing resources for Jammu”, nor did they allot land for AIIMS in Jammu, neither any compensation to Kashmiri pandits driven out 40 years ago,” News18 reported.
“I would like to tell the Congress leaders that J&K is an integral part of India and no one can change that. The Congress leaders should apologise to the country:
Wrong for Media to Link Guv’s Rule to Anti-Terror Ops: Shah
In his rally, Shah said it is “wrong for the media to tie governor's rule to anti-terror military operations,” claiming that the Centre has always extended support to the military.
News18 quoted Shah as saying, “the future of Jammu's kids was being played with. The PDP stalled all progress for them.”
Shah, who is on a day-long trip to the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was accorded a rousing reception with party's youth wing taking out a bike rally from the airport to the state guest house.
His public address is set to be significant as he is expected to touch on evolving political situation in the state following the party's withdrawal of support from the Mehbooba Mufti government on Tuesday.
The state is now under governor's rule.
Shah was accompanied by state party president Ravinder Raina and other senior leaders. On 20 June, Raina had said Shah will pay homage to Mukherjee, on his martyrdom day and would also check preparedness of the state unit of the party for the upcoming parliamentary election.
Shah would chair the party's election committee meeting to discuss the issues for the next election.
He will also hold meetings with digital media and social media volunteers, and participate in other organisational events.
The strategy of the party for the next year's Lok Sabha elections is part of the discussions as the party is prepared to face the elections, a BJP leader said.
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