Union Home Minister Amit Shah rallied support for BJP candidate Murtaza Khan in Mendhar, Poonch district, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir ahead of assembly elections. He emphasized the peace along the border, asserting, “Pakistan now fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi and no longer dares to open fire.”
In his address, Shah praised the BJP-led central government for tackling terrorism by empowering youth with laptops instead of weapons. He promised that his administration would keep the hills of Jammu free from gunfire, contrasting the current situation with the violence of the 1990s.
Shah also targeted the opposition, accusing the influential families of Gandhi, Abdullah, and Mufti of perpetuating a culture of terror in the region. “This election is about ending their politics,” he stated.
To enhance safety, he announced plans for more bunkers along the border and assured residents that any provocation from across the border would meet a decisive response.
During his three-day visit, Shah plans to conduct four additional rallies in Poonch’s Surankot, Rajouri district’s Thanamandi, Rajouri, and Akhnoor in Jammu. This election marks the first assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the region’s reorganization into two union territories.
The first voting phase occurred on September 18, with the second phase set for September 25 and the final phase on October 1. Election results will be announced on October 8.