JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Taking a hardline stand on abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A with a pledge to ensure it remains part of history, BJP on Friday released its manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, announcing 25 promises, including a slew of freebies, increase in 'Kisan Samman Nidhi' from Rs 6,000 per year to Rs 10,000, restoration of over 100 ruined temples, rehabilitation of displaced Hindus and also a concerted drive to address illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi settlements in the region.
Releasing the manifesto, senior BJP leader and home minister Amit Shah asserted that Article 370 was buried forever and BJP won't allow efforts aimed at its restoration while he mentioned the party's promise to release a 'white paper' on over 40,000 killings in J&K and fix responsibility.
The assertion seemed aimed at cornering Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi over the manifesto of their alliance partner National Conference, which has promised restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, besides resuming talks with Pakistan.
Shah: J&K’s statehood will be restored in due course"I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if he and his party want revival of terrorism, separatism in J&K? Does Rahul support restoration of two flags and Article 370? He won't answer. But I want to state here that Rahul is very much in support of the NC manifesto," Shah said.
On restoration of statehood to J&K, Shah said as home minister he had promised on the floor of Parliament that statehood would be granted to J&K at an appropriate time after assembly polls.
"Why demand something that has already been accepted," Shah said, adding that it would be restored in due course after assembly polls. PM Narendra Modi, in an interview in May, had said restoring J&K's statehood was a solemn promise and he stood by it.
Responding to NC's promise to restore Article 370, Shah said, "The agenda of NC cannot get implemented on the ground. Article 370 is the past. It is history. Nobody can bring it back."
On the possibility of talks with Pakistan, Shah said talks and terror couldn't go together. "We will talk to the youth of Kashmir, not Pakistan unless Pakistan stops terrorism," he said. Replying to a query whether trade could be started with Pakistan, he said trade set the base for terrorism. "So no question of trade with Pakistan till terrorism is there," he said.
BJP also promised to conduct a free and fair census to ensure proper decision making, focusing on inclusive development, with targeted interventions for marginalised communities.
Shah promised further development under BJP, with plans to build 10,000 km of roads and a Metro system if the party was voted into office. The party has promised 20% quota to Agniveers in J&K govt jobs and police recruitment, and will follow the J&K reservation policy without affecting the general quota.
"Tourism will also be a key focus," Shah said, announcing plans to turn Rajouri into a premier tourist destination surpassing Pahalgam. "We will work to restore the beauty of Dal Lake and develop new attractions, including an amusement park at Tota Ground in Srinagar," he added.
Shah also underscored BJP's commitment to women's empowerment, asserting that the party's manifesto was designed to benefit all sections of society in J&K.
The party has promised to undertake reconstruction of Hindu temples and shrines under 'Rishi Kashyap Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive' under which 100 ruined temples will be restored. It will also further develop existing temples, including the Shankaracharya Temple (Jyeshteshwara Temple), Raghunath Temple and Marthanda Sun Temple.
BJP has promised to enhance women's financial security by implementing 'Maa Samman Yojana' to provide Rs 18,000 per year to the senior-most woman in every household and two free LPG cylinders every year. It has promised to create 5 lakh employment opportunities in the Union Territory and provide Rs 3,000 yearly through DBT as travel allowance to college students under the 'Pragati Shiksha Yojana'. The party has also promised youth preparing for competitive exams like JKPSC and UPSC of reimbursement of coaching fees upto Rs 10,000 for two years.
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