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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a befitting reply to the gun by pressing ballots in large numbers and shown their faith in democracy.
Campaigning for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the state has been 'stuck' at the same place for the last 30 years due to lack of development and accused the ruling NC, Congress and PDP of indulging in corruption and looting the state besides 'emotionally blackmailing' people.
Attacking those who have given a poll boycott call, the Prime Minister said, "Those people were suppressing the power of ballots with bullets. For the first time people of J&K have strengthened themselves and pressed the ballot and have given their reply to the bullets."
"I have come for the second time for campaigning in J&K. For the first time I had gone to Chenab area (Kishtwar) in J&K. But the way polling has taken place, I want to congratulate those voters of J&K who have voted in large numbers and made democracy victorious," Modi told an election rally here.
In the first phase of Assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir had registered a record 71.28% turnout. People had ignored the boycott calls by separatists and cold conditions to cast their votes in 15 constituencies.
Modi said, "Militants are frustrated because they are feeling that despite the use of guns and bombs and killing people, democracy inside the state is still alive."
Taking a dig at such forces, he said, "Despite their frustration, the people of J&K have shown their faith in democracy."
