Kathua (J&K): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised the people of Jammu and Kashmir for coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and said that the massive voting has done what AK-47 triggers could not do.
Addressing an election rally in Kathua of Jammu, Modi said,"Temperature may dip, but voting should not be affected. The nation has seen many elections, but the only hot topic at this time in the world is Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls . What is the reason? The high turnout of 70 per cent is the reason why people are discussing this election.Your finger on the EVM machine has done the work which AK 47 could never do. I appeal you to vote for the BJP and allow us the form a majority government."
Tragetting Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress party, Modi said that it's an infiltrator party as it joins hands sometime with PDP and some other time with NC.
"You have seen several governments... has anyone of them worked for you? Has anyone of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you? Has anyone of them shared your grievances? Government is not formed for celebration... In a Democracy, government is formed to work for people. Jammu aur Kashmir Congress ghuspetia party hai, har sarkar mey ghus jaati hai," said Modi.
Citing the example of UN deciding to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day, Modi said that within 6 months of his rule, the world has started taking India seriously.
"You people must have read the news about UN decision to celebrate Yoga. You tell me, was this Yoga born after the formation of my government? This work could have been done earlier but they never had such thoughts. Why has it happened now? You tell me why?
"Within six months, the world has now started listening to India . This is not because of me... this is because of you, 125 crore people of India. The world is today chanting India, India, India... It's not because of Modi. It's because of the 125 crore people.When someone meets me, then he/she meets you because you had voted for a majority government in Delhi. Everything you are witnessing today is because of the clear mandate. Don't you want Jammu and Kashmir to be the leading state... If yes, vote for the BJP. Don't give fracture mandate," said Modi
Here we are giving you live updates of Modi's rally:
01:05pm- Modi concludes his speech with chants of 'Bharat Mata KI Jai'
01:04pm- Modi:Temperature may dip, but voting should not be affected. The nation has seen many elections, but the only hot topic at this time in the world is Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls . What is the reason?? The high turnout of 70 per cent is the reason why people are discussing this election.Your finger on the EVM machine has done the work which AK 47 could never do. I appeal you to vote for the BJP and allow us the form a majority government.
01:03pm- Modi: After forming government, we launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna. I created such provisions that today bankers are calling you for opening accounts. Bankers told me that an account can't be opened without minimum balance. But I changed the rules and enabled poor to open bank with zero balance. Poor people have deposited Rs 8,000 crore under this scheme. The moment your account is opened, you get insurance worth Rs 1 lakh.
01:01pm- Modi: Earlier, job seekers used to make a queue outside offices for getting their documents attested. You are citizens of this country and how come we don't trust you? What was the relevanc of getting documents attested by a top officer or politician? I have changed this; you write that my documents are true and no will ask any question. After you are selected for the job, the documents can be verified easily.
12:58pm- Modi: Within six months, the world has now started listening to India . This is not because of me... this is because of you, 125 crore people of India. The world is today chanting India, India, India... It's not because of Modi. It's because of the 125 crore people.When someone meets me, then he/she meets you because you had voted for a majority government in Delhi. Everything you are witnessing today is because of the clear mandate. Don't you want Jammu and Kashmir to be the leading state... If yes, vote for the BJP. Don't give fracture mandate.
12:54pm- Modi: You people must have read the news about UN decision to celebrate Yoga. You tell me, was this Yoga born after the formation of my government? This work could have been done earlier but they never had such thoughts. Why has it happened now? You tell me why?
12:51pm-Modi: Congress is very opportunistic. You will have to identify them and punish them. Does people of Jammu and Kashmir lack courage? Can only father-son run the government here? Can father-daughter run the government here? Dynastic politics can never listen you voice. Look at the BJP, it is the BJP where a ‘chai wala' became the Prime Minister. I want a farmer, poor to come to power. Your son and daughter are not second to anyone.
12:47pm-Modi: Has BJP formed government in the state? You know the culprits... you know the first culprit, second and third as well. You will punish them or not? Has anyone of them worked for your benefit.? Why you people choose them?? They have committed mistakes and they should be punished for their offence. This is your duty to punish them... Will you punish them? Punish them once, they will realise the mistake.
12:43pm-Modi: You have seen several governments... has anyone of them worked for you? Has anyone of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you? Has anyone of them shared your grievances? Government is not formed for celebration... In a Democracy, government is formed to work for people. Jammu aur Kashmir Congress ghuspetia party hai, har sarkar mey ghus jaati hai.
12:39pm-Modi: People were unaware about the importance of land from where I am speaking today. Pakistan is in front of me... Political pundits are discussing on television who will get major percentage of vote. Political pundits should stop guessing what the poll results will be, they can have a look at the crowd gathered here. I am sure that they will be wrong after the declaration of results as the BJP will be voted to the power.
12:37pm-Modi:The land of Kathua holds a special significance. This is the land where Jana Sangh was born and Thakurji spent his entire life for the Jana Sangh.
12:34pm-Modi: It is a matter of pride for a politician to see such a huge crowd in a very short span of time in Jammu and Kashmir . I am pleased with this honour. Whether it is about Ladakh or any place in the state, I am thankful to the love and affection I received from you. I will return it to you with interest, with development...
12:31pm-Modi: People from J&K have spent 30 years thinking that their dreams wont be fulfilled, now your dreams have come alive again. One should not lose hope, someone someday will fulfil your aspirations. Today I am happy to see the smiling faces... people with hope of change.
12:28pm- Modi:I have visited Kathua earlier too. I have come to Jammu and Kashmir earlier several times. When I was working as a volunteer, I visited each district and met social workers, party activities. But I have never seen this type of gathering.
12:22pm- Modi begins his speech
12:15pm- Modi arrives at the venue
Polling will be held for 20 constituencies in the last phase. They are -- Bani, Basohli, Kathua, Billawar, Hiranagar (SC), Nagrota, Gandhinagar, Jammu East, Jammu West, Bishnah, RS Pura (SC), Suehetgarh, Marh, Raipur Domana (SC), Akhnoor, Chhamb (SC), Nowshara, Darhal, Rajouri and Kalakote.
Meanwhile, heavy security arrangements have been put in place for Modi's twin public rallies.
The main venues at Sports Stadium in Kathua and New Bus Stand area in Rajouri have been sanitised and have been made out of bound for the public till today's rallies.
“Tight security arrangements have been made for the twin rallies of prime minister in border districts of Kathua and Rajouri tomorrow,” a senior Police officer said.
The first three phase of five-phased polling on November 25, December 2 December 9 had seen an unprecedented voter turnout. In the first phase, 71 per cent electorate had exercised their franchise across 15 constituencies spread in seven districts whereas in the second phase, 71 per cent voter turnout was registered in 18 assembly seats. A 58 per cent turnout was recorded in the third phase that involved 16 seats, all in the Valley.
Campaigning for the fourth phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand came to an end yesterday. In J&K, polling in 18 assembly constituencies spread over four districts viz Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian and Samba will be held tomorrow.
The legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir comprises of 87 members.
