In a bid to reach out to people of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invoked Atal Bihari Vajpayee and announced a Rs 80,000 crore package saying funds would not be a constraint in building a modern, progressive and prosperous state.
Recalling the words of the former Prime Minister-- "Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat aur Insaniyat' (Kashmiri culture, democracy, and humanity), he said, "I will like to follow these three mantras which are the pillars of development of Kashmir".
Addressing a public meeting at the heavily-guarded Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium, the Prime Minister did not make any reference to the stalled dialogue process with Pakistan or initiating a talks with separatists as was widely expected by his alliance partner PDP and rivals.
"I don't need advice or analysis from anyone in this world on Kashmir. The three mantras of Atalji and these will be helpful in moving forward. Kashmiriyat ke bina Hindustan adhura hai. (Without Kashmiriyat, India is incomplete). Sufi tradition has emerged from this land and this tradition has taught us oneness and strength of unity," he said.
Reacting to his speech, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Modi invoked Vajpayee used the Srinagar platform in a difficult situation to reach out to Pakistan and start a dialogue process with the Hurriyat Conference.
"...In front of him (PM), Mufti Mohammad Sayeed talked about starting dialogue. The Prime Minister did not listen to Mufti Sahib. What is Mufti Sahib doing when his words did not stand for few minutes? Where is the agenda of alliance (of PDP and BJP)?" he told reporters.
Ahead of Prime Minister's speech, Sayeed said "Vajpayee had extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan and we had 10 years of peace. If India has to grow big...India, the elder brother, has to extend a hand of friendship to the younger brother (Pakistan)."
In his second public meeting in Kashmir after becoming the Prime Minister, Modi announced the package and said that this is not a full stop as "our hearts are also open for you".
"The Centre announces Rs 80,000 crore package to the state. It's my heart-felt desire that this money will be helpful in turning your fate. This money should be used for converting the state into a new Jammu and Kashmir which is modern, prosperous and progressive state.
"This is not a full stop. This Rs 80,000 crore is not a full stop. It's rather a beginning...Dilli ka khazana aap ke liye hai, Dilli ka khazana hee nahi, dil bhi aap ke liye hazir hai (The treasury is for you. Not only our treasury, but our heart also beats for you)," said Modi, who was flanked by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti.
"The dreams of two generations have been lost in last two decades. But I am an optimist and would like to move ahead and covert Jammu and Kashmir into a modern and developed state," he said.
