J&K BREATHING FREELY AFTER ABROGATION OF ART 370: PM

This was Modi’s first visit to Kashmir since the Centre  abrogated the special status given to the erstwhile state.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is “breathing freely” after the abrogation of Article 370 and pledged accelerated progress over the next five years.

“Modi will not leave any stone unturned to repay this debt of affection. This is Modi sanz (Kashmiri word) guarantee,” he said addressing a massive rally at Srinagar’s Bakshi stadium, the first by a prime minister.

Modi said the new Jammu and Kashmir has the spark for the future in its eyes and “140 crore citizens feel at peace when they see the smiling faces of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

He also criticised dynastic politics that “plagued the region”, underscoring the transformative impact of the decision to abrogate Article 370 in 2019.

“Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest victim of dynastic politics since independence. Congress misguided the nation about Article 370 but who did it benefit? Did it benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir or a few political families?

“Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development after the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights of development today because it is breathing freely,” the prime minister said at the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ rally.

This was Modi’s first visit to Kashmir since the Centre abrogated the special status given to the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh -- on August 5, 2019.

“Jammu and Kashmir has broken the shackles after the abrogation of Article 370,” he said.