SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: The unusual bonhomie stood out in the numbing cold of Sonamarg. J&K CM Omar Abdullah lauded PM Narendra Modi saying he enjoyed high trust among people for keeping his word to hold free and fair elections in the state even as he urged the PM to make good his commitment to restore the Union Territory to statehood.
Modi reciprocated the sentiment by terming J&K the “crown of India”, promising a new future for the youth of the UT and reaffirming that he would fulfil his statehood promise “at the appropriate time”. He said, “Yeh Modi hai, wada karta hai toh nibhata hai. Har kaam ka ek samay hai, aur sahi samay pe sahi kaam bhi hone wale hain (This is Modi who keeps his promises. And right things are going to happen at the right time).”
The occasion was the opening of the 6.4km all-weather Sonamarg tunnel, an engineering feat accomplished in a challenging terrain in the face of threats from Pakistan-backed terrorists who killed seven workers in Oct. The tunnel will considerably reduce travel time between Srinagar and Leh.
But as the speakers spoke of shrinking distance between hearts and between Delhi and Srinagar, many could also see a shrinking gap between the two political adversaries.
PM’s presence signal to those against development: Omar
Omar’s praise for PM Modi on Monday contrasted sharply with his recent remarks on INDIA bloc. He had said there was no INDIA meeting and hence there was no clarity about “its leadership, agenda or existence”.
Omar had said they should “wind up the alliance” in case it was just for the Parliament elections.
Omar, who spoke first, set the tone by complimenting Modi on his interest in J&K as evidenced by his second visit in a fortnight, completion of infrastructure projects which – enabled by improved security situation – has brought in hordes of tourists. “Remote areas such as Machil, Gurez, Karnah and Keran are seeing benefits in terms of development and tourism, with an increasing number of tourists visiting these regions,” he said.
The CM emphasised that while the foundation for Sonamarg tunnel was laid in 2012, it took Modi and Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari to complete it.
Omar said that the PM’s presence was a signal to those who didn’t want development of the nation, and peace and democracy in J&K. “They will always face defeat and we will send them defeated from here. We will not allow any damage to democracy, peace and development of J&K,” the CM said in a forthright attack on terrorists and their backers in Pakistan.
On elections, he stressed that there was zero interference by the administration and there was no repolling in any booth. Coming from someone who had fought elections while expressing apprehension of rigging of polls, this was a remarkable praise, the warmth of which was palpable even in minus 9 degree celsius.
The applause for his appeal for statehood could not have escaped the PM’s attention. He reiterated “Modi ki guarantee” but was firm that Centre would go by its own timetable.
Modi said Kashmir’s development, like of all other parts, was crucial for India’s goal of becoming a developed country – remarks which appeared to go beyond the oft-stated resolve of Kashmir being an integral part of India.
“Kashmir is India’s crown, and the dream of Viksit Bharat can be achieved only when it is bedecked with jewels. Jammu and Kashmir of the 21st century is scripting a new chapter of development,” he said.
“The region is regaining its identity as ‘Paradise on Earth’, leaving behind the difficult days of the past. Today, people are going to Lal Chowk to have ice-cream and there is hustle and bustle at night. My artist friends from Kashmir have made Polo View Market the new habitat centre. In Srinagar, people go to cinema halls with their children and watch movies. No govt can do so many things that change the situation,” Modi said, adding that a few months ago, an international marathon was held for the first time in Srinagar. He said Omar too participated in it and the video was widely circulated on social media.
