Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], September 14 (ANI): As the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir approach, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remarked that there is significant public enthusiasm for the upcoming polls and that people are eager for a “double-engine” government in the Union Territory.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm among the public in Jammu and Kashmir regarding the assembly elections. The people of J&K want development and peace. Terrorism has decreased, and tourism has increased in J&K. The public desires a double-engine government,” said Chief Minister Dhami.
Earlier in the day, while addressing a public meeting in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi criticised the Congress, the National Conference, and the People’s Democratic Party, stating that if their election promises were implemented, the erstwhile state would return to the days when schools were set on fire and stone-pelting was a daily occurrence.
Targeting opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his slogan of ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’, Prime Minister Modi said that those running “nafrat ki dukaan” (shops of hate) are hiding behind the facade of “mohabbat ki dukaan” (shops of love).
Further criticising the opposition for keeping the Constitution “in their pockets”, PM Modi accused them of doing so to conceal their “misdeeds”. He also condemned them for depriving the Pahadi, SC, ST, and OBC communities of reservation in the erstwhile state.
Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah criticised Prime Minister Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Prime Minister’s remarks on political dynasties during his visit to Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, the former J&K Chief Minister referred to a recent militant attack that claimed the lives of two soldiers and ongoing encounters in the Union Territory, accusing the Prime Minister of using the issue of political families to divert attention from more pressing concerns.
Abdullah is contesting the Ganderbal assembly constituency in the upcoming elections.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled for September 18, September 25, and October 1, with counting set for October 8.
The Assembly elections will take place in 8 constituencies across three districts–Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban–in the first phase, with voting scheduled for September 18. (ANI)