:Home Minister Amit Shah has unveiled the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, during the event Shah said the restoration of Article 370 will never happen.
"Article 370 is part of history and will never come back," he said.
The National Conference, contesting the upcoming Assembly elections in an alliance with the Congress, has promised the restoration of Article 370 in its manifesto. Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated in 2019. These Assembly elections will be the first since 2014 and are being closely observed to assess public sentiment regarding the removal of the provision.
"Due to Article 370, reservation was not possible here, resulting in injustice to women, discrimination against Dalits, and neglect of tribals. The BJP's Modi government has worked to establish reservations on the ground. Reservations have been extended to SC categories, economically weaker sections, and OBCs. Gurjars, Bakkarwals, and people from mountainous regions did not receive reservations before, but the process of granting them reservation began under Narendra Modi's leadership," he added.
Shah said as a warning to Omar Abdullah , "Regardless of the results, we will not allow you to touch the reservation granted to Gurjars."
The Union Home Minister also said that the BJP will eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir and a White paper will be issued to fix responsibility of those involved in emergence of terrorism in J&K.
Amit Shah also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying, "I urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir to give us a five-year tenure to ensure the development of the region."
Shah announced several key promises from the manifesto:
He stated that the party plans to introduce the 'Ma Samman Yojana,' which would provide Rs 18,000 annually to the eldest woman in every family.
The manifesto includes provisions for two free cylinders per year under the Ujjwala scheme.
Through the Pragati Shiksha Yojana, college students would receive Rs 3,000 annually as a travelling allowance.
The BJP has also pledged to create 5 lakh employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir through the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Employment Scheme (PPNDRY).