In a landmark statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound gratitude to the people of Kashmir for their enthusiastic participation in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Prime Minister highlighted the historic voter turnouts, with Baramulla recording a remarkable 59 percent turnout, the highest in four decades, and Srinagar seeing 38 percent turnout in the fourth phase, the highest in 35 years.
“These record-breaking voter turnouts clearly show that the decisions we took were in the right direction,” PM Modi stated in an interview with The Statesman. He attributed these milestones to the efforts made since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, emphasizing the government’s relentless work to restore normalcy in the region. He acknowledged the significant reduction in terror cases in the valley, crediting the unwavering commitment of security forces and the support of the local population.
A key priority for the government, PM Modi noted, has been to deepen democracy at the grassroots level. “We have conducted elections at the panchayat and block development levels, which has led to a significant trust-building exercise,” he said. The peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, according to the Prime Minister, is a clear indication that the people of Kashmir are ready to embrace democracy and participate in the decision-making process.
Looking ahead, PM Modi announced the government’s next logical step: the restoration of the state assembly and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. This move aims to further strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that the people have a greater say in the affairs of their state. “We are committed to working closely with the elected representatives to address the concerns of the people and to accelerate the pace of development,” he affirmed.
Outlining a bold vision for Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister spoke of transforming the region into a leader across various sectors. He envisions Jammu and Kashmir as an educational hub, a tourism hub, an IT hub, a horticulture hub that exports globally, and a center for handicrafts and handlooms. “With the support of the people and the commitment of our government, we can achieve these goals and transform Jammu and Kashmir into a model of development and progress,” PM Modi stated confidently.
The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to working closely with the people and their elected representatives to ensure that the region achieves its full potential and becomes a beacon of hope for the entire nation.
