Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls soon, statehood to be restored: PM Modi in Udhampur

Modi announced this at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, a little less than five years after the Centre took the historic step of abrogating Articles 370 and 35A.

The Prime Minister said he will have to be busy in creating the new picture of Jammu and Kashmir, which is now a union territory.

"Modi thinks far ahead. So what has happened so far is just the trailer. I have to get busy creating a new Jammu and Kashmir. The time is not far when assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will get the status of statehood.

"You will be able to share your dreams with your MLA and your ministers..," Modi said.

On Aug  5, 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India scrapped Article 370 and 35A that accorded a special status to the state and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir was acceded to India through the instrument of accession in 1947, under which special status was granted by New Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir, under Article 370.

Article 370 had allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag and right to handle its own laws except on matters that impact national security, but it also became an obstacle to development in the region wracked by terrorism sponsored by Pakistan and the rule of political oligarchy.

Pitching the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Lok Sabha poll campaign, 'Modi's Guarantee', the Prime Minister said, "I had told you to trust me and I will solve the problems of 60 years. I had guaranteed respect for the mothers and sisters here. I gave a guarantee that the poor would not have to worry about two meals a day.

"Today lakhs of families of Jammu and Kashmir have the guarantee of free ration for the next 5 years..."