Amit Shah alleges Congress to push terrorism back into Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi: On the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a vigorous attack on the Congress party and its leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking on Monday, Shah accused them of attempting to push the region back into a state of terrorism.

As the leading BJP figure in the poll-bound Union Territory, Shah has consistently criticized the Congress and its ally, the National Conference (NC), for their perceived leniency towards terrorism. He alleged that these parties intend to release terrorists and stone-pelters from prison if their alliance forms the government.

Shah's message against terrorism in Kishtwar rally

During a rally in Kishtwar, Shah emphasized his commitment to combatting terrorism. "Once again, efforts are being made to generate support for terrorism here. The NC and Congress have even made promises that if they come to power, they will release these terrorists. But I today assure you, as long as Narendra Modi's government is there (at the Centre), no one will dare to spread terrorism on India's soil,” Shah declared.

He further honored the sacrifices of regional martyrs and vowed to eradicate terrorism permanently. “Today, I remember all the martyrs of this region and promise that we will end terrorism in such a way that it will never rise again,” he added.

#WATCH | Kishtwar, J&K: Addressing a public rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "The Congress-National Conference alliance has always nourished terrorism... In the 1990s, Farooq Abdullah was the CM, you were elected after an agreement with Rajeev Gandhi. When the Kashmir… pic.twitter.com/kYTRG0gPnZ

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2024

Shah reiterates commitment to J&K’s integration

Shah also reiterated that Article 370, which granted 'special status' to Jammu and Kashmir and was abrogated by the BJP-led Centre in August 2019, is now a matter of the past. This legal change remains a contentious issue in the region's political discourse.

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, which will elect members for the 90-seat assembly, are scheduled to take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be counted on October 8.

Following the 2014 elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP, the largest and second-largest parties respectively, formed a coalition government in February 2015. This alliance, however, ended in June 2018.