Lagatar24 Desk
Jammu: Addressing a massive BJP rally in Mendhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday declared that cross-border firing from Pakistan would be answered with bullets, not talks. Shah emphasized that the days of cross-border firing are over, and Pakistan now fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“If bullets are fired from across the Line of Control (LoC), we will respond with bullets, not with ‘boli’ (talks),” Shah proclaimed, addressing the crowd in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Appeal for BJP Victory
Shah’s visit to Mendhar was to rally support for BJP candidate Murtaza Khan. He praised the Gujjar, Bakarwal, and Pahari communities for standing as soldiers for the country whenever there was a war with Pakistan. Shah also expressed pride in addressing a crowd just 2 kilometers away from the LoC.
He added, “This election will end the monopoly of the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families, who have stifled democracy in J&K for decades.”
Transformation Under Modi’s Leadership
Shah highlighted the progress made under PM Modi’s leadership, stating that Panchayat, BDC, and DDC electionshave taken place for the first time in the region. He contrasted this with the era of the Farooq Abdullah and Muftifamilies, during which 40,000 innocent people were killed in the conflict. Shah firmly assured that terrorism would not re-emerge under Modi’s government.
Development Plans for J&K
Promising a host of new developments, Shah said, “PM Modi has guaranteed ₹ 5 lakh in healthcare benefits, and soon, ₹ 10 lakh healthcare insurance will be provided.” He also announced plans to build macadamized roads in villages with as few as 50 people, benefiting mountainous areas and communities such as OBCs, Gujjars, Bakarwals, and Paharis.
Shah criticized Farooq Abdullah for opposing reservations for Paharis, saying, “This right was guaranteed to you by the Constitution, and no one can take it away.”
Recruitment and Infrastructure
Shah assured that special recruitment camps would be organized to enlist youth from border areas into the Army and other defense forces. He also promised to improve education and infrastructure in Mendhar, announcing plans for a winter camp office of the Collector, more schools up to higher secondary level, and laptops and tablets for students.
BJP’s Promises for J&K
Shah laid out several promises if BJP is elected to power, including:
- ₹ 18,000 annually to the eldest woman in each family,
- Two free LPG cylinders,
- Doubling the farmers’ benefits from ₹ 6,000 to ₹ 10,000,
- 50% reduction in electricity tariffs and 500 free units of power.
He also unveiled plans for a metro in Jammu, a Tawi Riverfront, and the development of Poonch and Rajouri into tourist destinations akin to Pahalgam.
Shah concluded his speech by urging the people to elect Murtaza Khan, stating that this would give PM Modi the opportunity to bring progress to Mendhar.
Shah is set to address four more BJP campaign rallies on Saturday in Rajouri, Surankote, Thanamandi, and Akhnoor.
