JPNN| Kathua | Dec 13, 2014|Terming the ongoing Assembly election as "historic", Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown their faith in Indian democracy by participating in large numbers in the polls which the world is closely watching. "People of Jammu and Kashmir have shown full faith in the Indian democracy and given a strong message to the world. This has scripted history in independent India. "This election has become very important for integrity and sovereignty of India. They (people of Jammu and Kashmir) have introduced Indian democracy to the world through the massive polling

in Jammu and Kashmir elections. You have done a great work," Modi said. Hitting out at the previous government in New Delhi for all the ills in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "The work which could not been done by governments sitting in New Delhi, you (J&K people) have done it by pressing a simple button of EVM." Modi said that by pressing the electronic voting machine, people of the state have given a clear message to the world that the EVM is more powerful than the AK-47. "Several elections, including Lok Sabha polls, have taken place in recent times in which Modi came out victorious. Recently Haryana, Jharkhand, MP elections were held. But in the entire world, the elections in J&K are being discussed." "Why are only the J&K elections being discussed across the world. What is the reason? The reason is over 70 per cent of polling," he said.

Seeking votes for a majority government of BJP in J&K for overall development in the state, Modi said, "The destiny of Jammu and Kashmir will only change through development. J&K needs schools, roads, water, power and health services. For this we need your support." Referring to the surcharged election environment in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the scenario was like none seen before. "When I used to visit the state in the past, I used to see people doing their chores without any dreams and zeal in their lives. There was no shine in their eyes and they had dejected look on their faces. They were living in an environment of hopelessness," he said. After thirty years of "hopelessness and despair", he said today the dreams of people have come alive again and this makes him feel very happy. "Keep your happiness and dreams alive. Don't allow your dreams to die. This is my luck that I am able to witness lakhs of people before me (attending my rallies) which no political leader or party has seen till now."

"Before this, Jammu and Kashmir people have given such a blessing to no other political leader. The love and affection, you have given me, I will return it with interest by ensuring development," he said. In a bid to strike chord with the people of Kathua, Modi invoked contribution of Praja Parishad and Jan Sangh, which spearheaded an agitation for the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union. "It is land of Praja Parishad. It is land where from Jan Sangh unfurled it flag (for unification). Where founder of Praja Parishad movement Baldev Thakur dedicated his life to this cause. Today when I see huge a crowd thronging the venue, I bow before you, the people of this sacred land," the Prime Minister said.

Criticising opinion polls on TV channels, Modi said poll predictions were mostly proved wrong and political analysts will know the actual scenario only if they came to the ground. On Kathua being close to International Border and facing the problem of Pakistani shelling and firing, Modi said people of the district were brave to face the bullets and defend the country's borders without a uniform and promised that he would fulfil their demand for reservation in the army.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said world is accepting the power of India. "With in six months, world is accepting the power of India. It is not because of Modi but because of you (people) who have formed a majority government in the country," Modi said. He said the respect he has been getting worldwide was not because of him, but because of the people of India. "The world has started recognizing the excellence of India not because of Modi, but because of the 1.25 billion strong people of the country. When people shake hands with me, they see 1.25 billion people standing behind me," he said.

"It is because I have a decisive mandate to run the country. If we did not have a decisive mandate, the world would not have been looking up to us," he said. "Why has this happened? Has India's respect now taking place in the world or not? It is happening in America, Japan, Australia, Nepal and Bhutan, ... Because of you," the PM said. Hailing the United Nation's decision to declare June 21 as 'International Yoga Day', Modi said, "The world has decided to celebrate world yoga day. Has yoga born after my government was formed." "It is pride moment for India that entire world has decided to celebrate world yoga day. Country has been honored. You (people) feel proud. Aren't you?" he added. In another rally at Rajouri, Modi said successive state governments in Jammu and Kashmir run by "dynasty-led parties" were responsible for the "miseries" being faced by the people of the state and that it was time to punish those responsible for the problems in the state.

"If a child commits a mistake, his parents punish him and its time that you punish the people who are responsible for your miseries," he said. "Common man does not go to a minister to ask for gold, he does not go for a car, what the common man needs is proper education for his children, road connectivity, but those who failed to provide these facilities to the people must be punished," he added. Modi said the people of J&K have seen the governments led by NC and PDP but BJP never got a chance to form government in the state. "You have seen governments led by NC and PDP, but you never have seen BJP government in the state. Give BJP a chance to end all your problems," he said.

The prime minister said he was overwhelmed to see the love and support of the people of Jammu and Kashmir that no other politician in the country has enjoyed. "No politician has enjoyed the love and support that I get from the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I am overwhelmed and feel blessed with the love the people here show towards me," he said, adding that he has been visiting the state on regular basis after becoming prime minister. Terming the ongoing Assembly polls in the state as the "most important" elections in the history of the country which the world is keenly watching, Modi said, "These are the most important elections in the history of the country as you people have defeated bullet with ballot."

Holding successive governments in the state responsible for lack of connectivity of the bordering districts of Poonch and Rajouri with rest of the country, Modi said, "Poonch and Rajouri districts should have been connected by a rail link with the rest of the country but successive state governments ignored these areas which led to backwardness.Agency"

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