Parbhani/Jalgaon/Dhule:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be restored even if Congress stalwart and late PM Indira Gandhi comes down from heaven.

The BJP’s star campaigner sought to corner the Congress over Muslim reservation and accused the main opposition party of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years.

With just a week left for the high-stakes assembly polls in Maharashtra, Shah stepped up his campaigning for the ruling Mahayuti front, of which the BJP is a member, and addressed three rallies in a day where he attacked the Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Shiv Sena (UBT).

Addressing a rally at Dhule in North Maharashtra, Shah said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should remember that even if his “fourth generation was to come”, Muslims won’t get reservations meant for Dalits, tribals and other backward castes.

“A few days ago, Ulemas (Muslim scholars) met the president of Congress party and said Muslims should be given reservation (in jobs and education). If reservation has to be given to Muslims, then reservations for SCs/STs/OBCs will have to be cut. Rahul Baba, not only you but even if your four generations were to come, they cannot cut the quota meant for SCs/STs/OBCs and give it to Muslims,” Shah insisted.

The Union minister made it clear that Article 370, scrapped in 2019 by the BJP-led central government, won’t be restored under any circumstances.

“Even if Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven, Article 370 won’t be restored,” the BJP stalwart told the gathering.

Describing the opposition MVA grouping as an “Aurangzeb Fan Club”, Shah noted the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance abides by the ideals of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.

At another election meeting in Jalgaon, also in North Maharashtra, the former BJP president averred that if the MVA wins the November 20 assembly polls, the state will turn into an ATM (automated teller machine) for the Congress.

“They (MVA) will withdraw funds from Maharashtra by using the state’s resources and send the money to Delhi. In contrast, if the BJP-led Mahayuti forms a government, the Modi administration will ensure greater development for Maharashtra,” Shah said at the meeting in Chalisgaon town.

Targeting Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli, he accused his party of making false promises and misleading people.

“Recently, Rahul Gandhi was seen waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. He used the same copy while taking the oath in Parliament. When some journalists got their hands on the very copy, it had blank pages. By showing a fake Constitution, Rahul broke the trust of people and insulted Babasaheb. Apparently, you have never read the Constitution, Rahul baba,” Shah said.

The “Sonia-Manmohan regime” didn’t act against Naxalism and terrorism for 10 years (2004-14) due to vote bank politics, the home minister opined.

“The entire Congress politics runs on deception. They are saying that after the formation of the Mahayuti government (in June 2022), investment in Maharashtra has reduced. The truth is after the formation of the government of (CM) Eknath Shinde and (deputy CM) Devendra Fadnavis, our Maharashtra is No.1 state in FDI inflows in India,” he said.

A Mahayuti government post-polls will work more for the welfare of women, farmers and other sections of society, Shah maintained.

“Your one vote will not only form a Mahayuti government but your one vote will also deposit Rs 2,100 in the account of Maharashtra’s beloved sisters. Your one vote will result in depositing Rs 15,000 instead of Rs 12,000 annually in farmers’ account,” he said.

The BJP leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee is like ‘patthar ki lakeer’ (carved in stone), whereas the Congress reneged on pre-poll promises in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh after coming to power in these states.

Targeting NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shah said the senior politician served as Maharashtra CM and also as a Union minister for many years, but did not do anything to give classical language status to Marathi.

At his third rally at Jintur in Parbhani district in the Marathwada region, Shah averred that Congress MP Gandhi, who has been campaigning for the MVA in Maharashtra, will fail once again.

“Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, your “Rahul plane” is going to crash for the 21st time,” the BJP leader opined.

Shah accused the Congress of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years.

“PM Modi built the Ram temple and also constructed the Kashi Vishwanath corridor (in Varanasi) which was demolished by (Mughal emperor) Aurangzeb. Now, you should be ready to visit Gujarat as the Somnath temple is also being made of gold,” he told the gathering.

Modi has made the country safe and prosperous, Shah said.

“I have visited all the places like Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, West Maharashtra, Konkan, Mumbai, Marathwada. Do you want to know the result of assembly polls? Listen to me, on November 23 (result day), the Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to be wiped out from Maharashtra,” he declared.

Shah said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, a former BJP ally, is now in alliance with those who opposed renaming Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chimur, Maharashtra:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday mounted a scathing attack against Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, saying that they have “a double PhD” in putting brakes on development and in corruption.

Addressing a rally in Chimur for BJP and MahaYuti candidates, he said: “The Congress people have a double PhD in stalling, delaying and diverting the works. In 2.5 years, they stopped every development project from Metro to Vadhvan Port and Samruddhi Mahamarg. So remember that Aghadi means the biggest player in corruption.”

PM Modi also said that the rapid development of Maharashtra is beyond the reach of the Aghadi people.

“Congress and the alliance do not leave any opportunity to push the country back and weaken it. You people have shown today itself what the election results in Maharashtra are going to be. This huge crowd is saying that MahaYuti is going to form the government with a huge majority in Maharashtra. The people of Chimur and the entire Maharashtra have decided – ‘BJP – Mahayuti ahe, tar gati ahe. Maharashtra’s progress ahe’,” the Prime Minister said, breaking into Marathi.

“Along with MahaYuti, the NDA government at the Centre means double engine government in Maharashtra, which means double speed of development. The people of Maharashtra have seen this double pace of development in the last 2.5 years. Today Maharashtra is the state in the country where maximum foreign investment is taking place. New airports and new expressways are being built here. Today, around a dozen Vande Bharat trains are running in Maharashtra, more than 100 stations here are being renovated and many railway routes are being expanded,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the BJP-led NDA government has put a break on Maoism in Chimur and Gadchiroli and also across the country.

“Congress and its allies have given you only bloody games. It is our government which has curbed Naxalism (Maoism). Today this entire area is able to breathe freely. Now new opportunities are being created in the areas of Chimur and Gadchiroli. To ensure that Naxalism does not become dominant in this area again, you should not allow the Congress and its allies to even enter here,” he added.

The Prime Minister showered praise on the state BJP unit for bringing out a comprehensive manifesto which promises to increase the pace of development of all sections and the state.

“Today I would also like to congratulate Maharashtra BJP, which has released a very wonderful manifesto,” he said.

Further, the Prime Minister lashed out at the Congress and allies for their efforts to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir while referring to the resolution moved in this regard recently in the Assembly there.

“Our Jammu and Kashmir remained burning in separatism and terrorism for decades. Many brave soldiers of Maharashtra were martyred on the soil of Jammu and Kashmir while protecting the motherland. The law under the cover of which all this happened, that section was Article 370. This article was the contribution of Congress. We abolished Article 370. Kashmir was completely integrated with India and the Indian Constitution. But Congress and its allies are passing resolutions to implement Article 370 again in Kashmir. These people are doing what Pakistan wants,” he claimed.

The Prime Minister warned the people of Congress “conspiracy” to divide tribals among various castes and weaken them. However, he claimed that the Centre as well as the MahaYuti government have taken many decisions for its development and empowerment.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ranchi/Palamu:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting and making a mockery of the Constitution by showing a “fake” copy of it. He also claimed that the BJP will never allow the Congress to implement reservations for minorities.

“Rahul Gandhi shows a copy of the Constitution. He was exposed two days back. Someone got a copy of the Constitution he has shown. The Constitution of India was written on the cover of that copy which was void of any content. Don’t make a mockery of the Constitution. It is a question of faith and trust. By waving a fake copy of the Constitution, you have insulted B R Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly. The Congress party has made the Constitution a mockery,” Mr Shah alleged at a BJP rally in Palamu.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to observe November 26 as Constitution Day.

Mr Shah alleged that Congress was “hell-bent on snatching reservations” from OBCs, tribals and Dalits and “planned to give it to minorities”.

“The Congress is against OBC quota, it promised 10 pc reservation to minorities when a delegation of Ulemas met Congress leaders in Maharashtra. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the BJP will never allow religion-based reservations,” Mr Shah said.

He also attacked Congress for its alleged attempts to restore Article 370 in Kashmir. “Kashmir is an integral part of India. I warn Rahul Gandhi that even your fourth-generation can’t bring back Article 370,” he claimed.

Mr Shah also hit out at the JMM-led dispensation in Jharkhand, terming it as the “most corrupt government” in the country.

Training his guns on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he said: “The Chief Minister says infiltration is the BJP’s political agenda. I say it is CM’s bank…corrupt leaders will be hanged upside down.”

Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly will be held on November 13 and 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

For the third consecutive day, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaos over a contentious resolution seeking to reinstate demanding immediate restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The session was marked by shouting matches, physical confrontations, and a walkout by the BJP after several members of the party jumped into the well of the house and were eventually marshalled out. 

The discord began on Wednesday when a new resolution, advocating for the reinstatement of special status was introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC). The BJP, opposing the resolution, labelled it “illegal,” demanding it be withdrawn. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected this demand, saying that the House itself, not the Speaker, held the authority to reverse any resolution passed.

The discord began on Wednesday when a new resolution, advocating for the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A, was introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC). The BJP, opposing the resolution, labelled it “illegal,” demanding it be withdrawn. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected this demand, saying that the House itself, not the Speaker, held the authority to reverse any resolution passed. 

During a speech by BJP’s Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Khursheed entered the assembly well, holding a banner demanding the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. BJP legislators quickly intervened, snatching and tearing the banner, leading to a brief scuffle in which People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone supported Mr Khursheed. This followed a 15-minute adjournment of the House. 

Upon resumption, BJP members continued their protest, despite the Speaker’s calls for order. “Do not force me to take actions I do not wish to take,” he warned, as BJP members persisted in chanting slogans honouring Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Meanwhile, NC members responded with chants on the historic sacrifices made for Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.

Tensions escalated further when Speaker Rather ordered the removal of several protesting BJP members, prompting a physical confrontation with assembly marshals. Three BJP MLAs were eventually escorted out, while treasury bench members applauded the move.

In a pointed address, Minister Satish Sharma condemned the BJP’s actions, accusing them of divisive tactics. Mr Sharma claimed that the BJP MLAs had “disrespected the Constitution” by allegedly standing on the document while protesting, calling for disciplinary action against them.

PDP, People’s Conference, and AIP MLAs joined forces to submit a fresh resolution denouncing the 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. This new resolution, spearheaded by PDP MLAs Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir, and People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone, described the abrogation as “unconstitutional” and a “breach of foundational guarantees” originally extended to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Lone, in a separate statement, accused the NC of playing a “fixed match” with the BJP, stating that the NC’s initial resolution was inadequate in condemning the abrogation.

BJP MLA RS Pathania described the regional parties’ actions as an attempt to “compromise the integrity” of the Assembly while insisting that the abrogation of Article 370 was a closed matter.

New Delhi:

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution asking the Centre to hold talks with elected representatives for restoration of Article 370, which grants a special status of the Union Territory.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of the erstwhile state, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019. “That this legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal,” the resolution moved by Choudhary said.

The resolution added that the process of should safeguard both national unity and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Soon after he resolution was introduced, BJP members, including the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, saying it was not part of the listed business. “The Act has been passed by the biggest temple of democracy in the country (Parliament),” he added.

An uproar among the treasury benches followed, even as BJP members tore the copies of the resolution and threw the pieces into the Well of the House. Assembly marshals stopped Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed as he tried rush into the Well.

Amidst the din, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote, which was passed. As he chaos ensued, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.

Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The move led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jammu:

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that the people in J&K want Article 370 reinstated but they have no expectations from the BJP.

“We all want the return of Article 370 but we cannot expect anything from the BJP. Even Congress fails to speak on this crucial issue. It is not possible to restore Article 370 through the Assembly, but we can introduce legislation to ensure that no outsider can buy land or secure jobs in our region. This was the essence of Article 370,” Mr Azad said while addressing a poll rally in Jammu.

“I do not cheat, lie, or mislead. I recognise that some people have become accustomed to falsehoods and have been voting based on those lies, but I speak the truth, which only a few may comprehend. I will never give false hope or make unrealistic promises,” he added.

He said that for years, political parties have used division as a tactic, offering excuses not to develop both regions that have led to conflict, while those in power continue to enjoy their privileges.

He urged people to recognise that their shared struggles should unite them rather than create rifts, stressing that only through unity can genuine progress be achieved.

Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister, he noted, “People witnessed real progress and development during my time. Through double and triple shifts, we initiated a developmental revolution that no other leader has been able to replicate. Many projects that I sanctioned remain incomplete to this day, highlighting the urgent need for a renewed focus on development.”

Mr Azad acknowledged the disillusionment among people. “People are fed up with the empty promises that have resulted in nothing but chaos and division,” Mr Azad stated.

“Today, we must focus on creating jobs for our youth, who are increasingly becoming involved in drugs, this is the biggest issue we face.”

He highlighted the desire for peace and unity among the people of Jammu, stating, “Whether in Samba, Gandhi Nagar, or Bakshi Nagar, the people of Jammu yearn for harmony. This is part of our Dogra culture and we must strive to maintain this unity. We cannot allow ourselves to be influenced by parties that seek to divide us.”

Mr Azad further said that his return to the state is driven by a desire to serve the poor, who remain deprived of basic necessities such as water and electricity.

“We will restore the Roshni scheme, which previously benefited the poor, but unfortunately, this government revoked it. Our focus will be on ensuring that every citizen has access to the essential services they deserve,” Mr Azad stated.

In his address, he also outlined a development agenda that includes the creation of more districts, schools, tehsils, colleges, and roads to enhance infrastructure and educational opportunities in the region.

 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has questioned the controversy over the alleged increase in the powers of Lieutenant Governor of the union Territory, asking if such a bill has been presented in parliament. Speaking about the Opposition comments on the issue, he told NDTV in an exclusive interview: “Some things are done to create controversies. if the powers of a Governor or Lieutenant Governor has to be increased, it has to be approved by parliament. Did such a bill ever come in parliament?”

Pointing out that the State Reorganisation Act was challenged in the Supreme Court along with the scrapping of the Article 370, he said it now has the approval of the court.

In July, the Union home ministry had amended the transaction rules in the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. The law was originally passed as the Article 370 granting J&K special powers was scrapped and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories.

Under the new law, the Lieutenant Governor was granted powers on key administrative and legal matters, from police and public order to postings and prosecution sanction. This drew a sharp reaction from the Opposition, which said the step will render the Chief Minister “powerless” and “disempower” the region’s people.

“No one has to get involved in the question of rights,” Mr Sinha told NDTV. “The assembly elections will be held soon. What will be the goals of the new government, whichever party is it? If it is peace, prosperity, development transparency, employment generation, I want to assure political parties through your channel — if these are the goals, they will have the full support of the Lieutenant Governor and his office. Where is the question of clash then?”

Asked if the coming election will be the stepping stone for the return of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Sinha said things are “working according to the blueprint given by Union home Minister Amit Shah”.

Mr Shah, he recalled, had said, “delimitation first, assembly election second and statehood at an appropriate time, third”.

The Lieutenant Governor also said he was hopeful that the voting percentage in the assembly election will be more than Jammu and Kashmir witnessed during the parliamentary election. Back then, the Jammu region had seen an average of 58.4 per cent turnout, the Kashmir Valley — 50.6 per cent, more than it had seen in more than the last three decades.

This, he said, only proves that the roots of democracy is “very strong” in Jammu and Kashmir. “People trust democracy and democratic values. It is natural in view of the peace and prosperity of the last five years,” he added.

Asked about the participation of Jamaat-e-Islami – the Islamic outfit which, along with Hurriyat, gave the election boycott calls in the Valley — in this election, Mr Sinha said he was not sure if anyone can be stopped from contesting elections in this country. “We need to understand that the country runs with the help of laws and constitution,” he said.

“If we want to stop elements like this, we should debate the matter in parliament, take various opinions and the Election Commission can make a rule,” he added.

Unveiling the manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah has ruled out the restoration of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state, and said the provision has now “become history”. 

The restoration of Article 370, which was abrogated in 2019, has been promised in the manifesto released by the National Conference, which is contesting the elections in an alliance with the Congress. The Assembly polls will be the first since 2014 and are also being keenly watched to gauge how the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel about the removal of the provision.

New Delhi:

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Friday said it is a “good thing” that Jamaat-e-Islami leaders are participating in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections but fired a salvo at the banned group. While welcoming their participation into active politics, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said that they would have to explain to the people of the union territory “why so much blood was in their hands”.

“It’s a good thing they are participating. Everyone should participate but the question would be asked why the region suffered for almost 30-40 years and what was achieved by their actions,” Omar Abdullah told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

The National Conference never backed out from participating in elections or being part of the democratic process, he said.

“We suffered because we always spoke about having a relationship with India we never spoke that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is beyond the Indian constitution. We believe in what (former PM Atal Bihari) Vajpayee Ji used to say – insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) kashmiriyat (Kashmiri culture),” he added.

He also said people who “brought so much suffering” to the people, who always said Jammu and Kashmir is “not part of India” are now willing to contest Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

“But the question remains what did the blood bath achieve? So many houses got destroyed, and thousands of lives were lost. Our graveyards are full because of them,” Mr Abdullah said.

Although it would have been better if their ban would have been uplifted and they would have fought on their symbol, he added.

Jamaat cannot take part in the elections due to the ban imposed on it by the Union home ministry. It has not taken part in any elections after 1987.

On Article 370, J&K Elections

Speaking on the BJP’s charge that people came out in more numbers and participated in elections after the abrogation of Article 370, Omar Abdullah said that the two are not connected.

“Due to fear of guns, people were not participating in elections. Otherwise, all our elections before 1990 would not have been conducted. They were all successful,” he told NDTV.

“It’s not right to say that only after the abrogation of Article 370 people participated in elections. The only reason now that participation has increased is because now people with separatist mindset also want to contest elections,” he said.

Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Narendra Modi government on August 5, 2019, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood are among the National Conference’s 12 guarantees announced in its manifesto for the upcoming polls.

Mr Abdullah also promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that their identity and their dignity would be restored soon.

“We will restore statehood no matter what. If they do not give it with their blessing, we will go to the Supreme Court and will take it,” he said.

Assembly polls are being held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. The polls, which are the first in 10 years, will be held in three phases from September 18 to October 1. The counting of votes will be done on October 4.

On Mehbooba Mufti’s Charge

Omar Abdullah also countered the claim of People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who said that when they came to power with the BJP, they withdrew 12,000 cases against youngsters.

“What is she talking about? A case was filed against Sarjan Barkati (a cleric) under the PSA (Public Safety Act) by Mehbooba Mufti,” he said.

Mr Abdullah also said that they would remove the PSA from the state book if they came to power.

On Ms Mufti attacking him about their poll alliance with Congress and that there was no agenda between both parties, Mr Abdullah said, “Agenda for alliance or governance alliance only after elections are won. Her former colleague Altaf Bukhari has stated that the PDP and BJP had a relationship before the elections too and it’s only after the elections were over agenda for the alliance took shape. If we also get the opportunity to serve people, we will also come out with such a document,” he said.

On How Kashmir Politics Is Changing 

Omar Abdullah also spoke to NDTV on how politics in Kashmir is changing every day and small parties — which gained traction after 2019 — are slowly withering away like former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party (Democratic Progressive Azad Party) and Apni Party. 

“I hope he (Mr Azad) gets well soon and gets back to active politics. But as far as his party is concerned, I sympathise with them. If some of them knew such a thing was likely to happen they would have jumped the ship and landed at either Congress or our doorstep,”
he said. 

While commenting on the Apni Party, he said there is a joke in Kashmir “ek pir and chaar mir”. Besides Apni Party chief Altaaf Bukhari, four Mirs are – one each from Tangmarg, Rafiabad, Pahalgam, and Sonawar.

On US Delegation Visiting Him

On meeting a delegation of US diplomats at his Gupkar residence earlier this month, Omar Abdullah said they wanted to know their viewpoint on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It’s then when I told them if things are better, then travel advisories should be diluted,” he said.

Mr Abdullah had called for a relook at travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir to ease restrictions over visiting the union territory.

“I had done the same thing with Germany when I was the chief minister,” he said.

New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during an exclusive interview with NDTV, said that scrapping of Article 370 helped strengthen democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the move sent a clear message to the people of the Valley that they are a part of India.

“Modi ji scrapped Article 370 and sent a message to Valley that you are a part of India and India belongs to you, you belong to India. I believe because of this the foundation of democracy there got stronger, and not just Lok Sabha polls even panchayat polls there there was 90 per cent voting. I believe it is a huge achievement and every Indian should welcome this,” Mr Shah said during a conversation with NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia.

Elaborating, Mr Shah said that the BJP government has been so successful in the region that even members of separatist organisations are now casting their votes.

“Some people of Jamaat e-Islami and Hurriyat voted and said they voted under Indian Constitution since there is no J&K Constitution. Jammu and Kashmir is now under Indian Constitution, so I believe Narendra Modi’s Kashmir policy was successful. For so many years, Kashmir was being governed through appeasement politics but not anymore,” the Home Minister said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is hoping to win a third consecutive term. Last phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections will be held on June 1, and results will be declared on June 4.

To a question about BJP’s pitch of winning 400+ seats, Mr Shah said, “When we won the 2014 elections under Narendra Modi’s leadership on the slogan of absolute majority, many political analysts from Delhi had said this was not possible. But we got absolute majority. Then, in 2019, when we gave the slogan of ‘300 plus’, people said it is not possible. People are saying the same this time. But I think they will believe us in the next election before ‘400 par’ is happening this time.”