‘JMC in nexus with private players to loot public’

Authorities outsource services, get share as bounty

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 26: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is looting the gullible public by outsourcing sanitation services to private players in lieu of share as bounty. 
 The apparent nexus between the Urban body and private agencies has left general public at the suffering end. 
The corporation is outsourcing public grievances to private partners to enjoy fruits of share, without putting efforts. 
In one such instance, the concerned officers of JMC directed a person to some private agency for cleaning of septic tank. “I went to JMC for cleaning my septic tank, but after taking receipt, the concerned official (without naming any) directed me to some private agency on the pretext that they do not have proper equipment for draining out the waste,” said aggrieved Karan Singh. He added “First they (JMC officials) told me to have a receipt for the clearance of the tank, during which I requested them to send small vehicle due to congested lanes, to which they nodded. But after five days, big JMC tanker came to my place and it was obvious that it will not enter the place.” He added that on asking about small vehicle, the driver directed him to private agency, having small vehicles for the same.
He said that where the JMC charges Rs 1050 for the clearance of the septic tanks, private agency charges over Rs 5000 for the same, which also includes ‘share of the JMC’.
“When I went back to JMC for refund of Rs 1050, the Chief Transport Officer (CTO) told me to mention the exact cause of the refund and I mentioned that JMC had dearth of proper equipment, CTO reacted and said that they will not entertain this request,” said Karan Singh.
He further shared that CTO also told him that around 25 percent of the payment would be deducted from the total amount. “This is loot, they will deduct the money for their fault. They lack proper equipment,” he resented.
When contacted JMC Assistant Commissioner, Kapil Sharma said that the department has no facility of the small vehicles. “We have no small vehicles for the clearance of the septic tanks. I will direct my subordinates to refund full amount to the aggrieved,” he said and added that private agencies must be providing this facility, but at the moment, JMC has no such facility.
However, Chief Transport Officer (CTO), Deepak said that in government sector one cannot expect every facility. “Cabinet approval, revenue approval and many such approvals are needed to ply small JMC vehicles on the roads,” he said and added that private agencies have no such constraints.

Poll results: BJP unhappy over KPs cold response

 

Blatantly denies ‘minority status’ to the community

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 26: Unhappy with the poor response of the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) voters settled across India, in the recently concluded J&K assembly polls, BJP high command at the center has ‘blatantly denied’ minority status to the community, saying it is prerogative of J&K legislative assembly.

According to party insiders, the BJP made intense campaigning in the Kashmir only after it was promised full support by the KP community.

The leadership had expected couple of seats from Kashmir, “Relying on the KP community party had fielded candidates with the hope that couple of candidates would win in the Kashmir valley for the first time in 67 years, if the KP migrant voters support the party as per their strength, but they turned spoilsport and showed cold-shoulder to the party,” said BJP leader, wishing to be off the record.

He asserted that amid poll boycott call being enforced by separatists, the BJP banked on the 92000 Kashmiri Pandit votes across Kashmir. “We had lot of expectations from the KP community, as they always complained about being deprived, but when we provided them a chance to chose representative, they pulled back,” party insider told Greater Kashmir and added that because of the community, BJP failed to mark victory in Kashmir.

He maintained that had the community not pulled back, BJP would have emerged victorious at least on two seats in Kashmir. 

“With Pandit electorate strength of 16710, the highest in any constituency across Kashmir, HabbaKadal segment, was the only seat where the BJP had given ‘sleepless nights’ to regional parties,” said party member adding that unfortunately only 2817 cast their vote, which was blow for the party.

Meanwhile giving detail about the KP votes, party leader said that in the Ganderbal and Bandipora districts, which went to the polls in the first phase of elections, only a little over 1000 out of a total of 3411 KP voters cast their votes.

Similarly, only 5258 out of a total of 17,015 registered KP migrant voters exercised their right to vote during the second phase of elections. In the third phase of elections, the participation of the KP migrant voters was very low. Only 4717 out of 19,575 registered KP migrant voters voted in the three districts of Kashmir viz Baramulla, Pulwama and Budgam.

He lamented that the overall polling percentage of the KP migrants in the recent concluded elections was not more than 55 percent, which was disappointing for the BJP.

However, he refuted any such report of denying minority status to the community. He said that center is doing what it is supposed to do in the Parliament, “We cannot correlate polling in Kashmir with resolutions in parliament,” he said and added that on this issue national leadership could better comment.

Pertinently, hours after sensing the trend of the election results in the state on December 23, the BJP government announced that “no proposal for according minority status to Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir is under consideration of the Ministry of Minority Affairs” and "The issue of declaring any community as minority in the state of Jammu and Kashmir comes under the purview of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Congress backs Mufti to foil BJP-NC merger

Soz says power hungry leaders trying to subvert people’s verdict

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today apparently advocated People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron and chief ministerial candidate, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to lead next government in the state to ‘foil much talked BJP-NC merger’.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, JKPCC chief, Prof Saif-Ud-Din Soz said that sidelining Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from the formation of state government would be equivalent to subverting democratic verdict of the people.

“It is a worrying situation in which certain power-hungry political groups and individuals are trying to subvert the democratic verdict of the people in the just-concluded election to the state legislative Assembly,” JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz said and added “A suave, experienced and forward-looking politician like Sayeed should be allowed to lead a coalition government in the state with the support of other like-minded parties or groups. That way alone the people’s verdict would truly be respected.”

 “The people of the state, especially in Kashmir has given mandate to the PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to counter divisive politics of the BJP. Now, keeping him (Mufti) out of government would amount to undermining people’s verdict,” Soz said.

 Soz said that Jammu and Kashmir has experienced blackest periods of its recent history through armed militancy and devastating floods that left thousands of people homeless and needy.

"It is a time when a government should be at the helm to reconstruct the economy, rehabilitate a suffering mass of people and ensure governance that brings relief in the hearts and minds of the people," he said.

The Congress chief further said the RSS-BJP leadership would be well-advised to resist the temptation of cobbling a coalition that "only deepens the polarization on religious and regional considerations, which is, to say the least, detrimental to the integrity of the state." 

"The RSS-BJP leadership should also appreciate the sensitivity of this border State and not indulge in any kind of horse-trading, giving priority to the parochial interests.

That kind of short-sighted political arrangement would certainly attract a social commotion and spoil the gains from a credible, free and fair Election concluded recently," Soz told Greater Kashmir.

People did not regard ‘development work’ of Congress: Soz

‘Modi polarized Jammu voters’

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 24: Accepting party’s defeat in the recently concluded Assembly elections in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today said that people of Jammu region got swayed away with the ‘polarization’ card of Modi and forgot the ‘work done’ by Congress.

Talking to Greater Kashmir JKPCC chief said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Jammu to ‘divide people on the name of region and religion’.

“Modi’s polarization card overdid the developmental work carried out by the congress leaders in the state,” JKPCC chief said and added that Congress had no means to counter ‘polarization trend’ of the saffron party.

He added that BJP made inroads by raking up several sensitive issues, which were considered prone to disturb ‘communal harmony’ in the state. “Due to their divisive politics, there is a total wipe-out of non-Muslim Congress candidates in the Jammu region, which is a matter of serious concern, as it indicates that state is heading towards politics of extremism, which is dangerous for the democracy and secularism of the State,” Soz asserted.

Soz said that they (people) did not regard the service of the Congress leaders, especially in the Jammu region. “We have nothing to defend, as people of the region voted against us. They voted  in favour of divisive forces by sidelining our year’s long service and goodwill,” said PCC chief, adding that they respect the mandate of the people.

"We accept the verdict of the people. They have voted for change, after 12 years of our government in the state. But I am disturbed with the defeat of two star candidates of the party from Jammu region, Raman Bhalla and Sham Lal. Both represented the aspirations of the people of Jammu region strongly, especially from their respective constituencies,” Soz lamented.

However, apparently unfazed by the rout, Soz said that Congress will definitely go for self-introspection and will work hard to regain the confidence of the people.

"The Congress party will work hard on the ground to once again earn the confidence of the people," PCC chief said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Congress managed to secure only 12 seats in the state, with five from Jammu region against 17 in 2008 elections.

Congress wiped out in Jammu region: could retain only four seats

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 23: Congress has suffered a humiliating defeat in its strong bastion- Jammu region, where it bagged 13 seats in the last assembly elections, out of its total tally of 16.

Despite the hectic campaign by AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Vice president, Rahul Gandhi , former Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and battery of central Congress leaders, the party could retain only four seats. 

The defeat was so embarrassing that the Congress lost all the nine Jammu seats it had won in 2008. In Jammu district the party failed to retain even a single seat, despite having star contenders, including Raman Bhalla, Sham Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand.

The party succumbed in Rajouri, Chhamb, Akhnoor, Gandhi Nagar, Billawar, Ramban, Bhaderwah, Doda and Chenani- once considered party’s strong  bastions  .

Former Minister, Shabir Ahmad Khan lost in Rajouri and had to be content with third position with 24296 votes. PDP candidate, Qamar Hussain won with 26954 votes from this seat.

In Ramban, Congress candidate Ashok Kumar was relegated to third place by securing just 5643 votes against BJP candidate Neelam Kumar Langeh, who got 25349 votes and NC candidate Dr Chaman Lal with 19985 votes.

In Bhaderwah, Mohammad Sharief Niaz of Congress managed 24457 votes against BJP's Daleep Singh, who polled 25953 votes. The seat has remained strong bastion of the Congress party, winning four of last five assembly elections.

Abdul Majid Wani, cabinet minister from Doda too found himself on the losing side with 20532 votes.

He lost to BJP candidate Shakti Raj, who managed 24572 votes. Wani has retained this seat since 2002.

Congress candidate from Billawar- Dr Manohar Lal was trounced by BJP candidate Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh, who got 43447 votes. Manohar Lal bagged 25472 votes. He had retained this seat since 2002 as an Independent candidate and later as a candidate of Congress.

In Chenani, Congress candidate-Krishan Chander was thrashed by a BJP candidate, Dina Nath with a huge margin of 20332 votes. The BJP candidate bagged 33047 votes, while Congress candidate could manage only 12715 votes.

Jammu district saw the main contest between Congress and BJP, where the later was totally wiped out. Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand lost in Chhamb against Dr. Kirshan Lal of BJP with a margin of 14790 votes. Tara Chand bagged 21243 votes, Kirshan Lal secured 36033 votes. Tara Chand had retained this seat since 1996.

Two times Congress minister Raman Bhalla was humbled by the BJP’s fresh face Kavinder Gupta from Gandhi Nagar with massive 16777. Bhalla managed to bag 39902 votes, while Kavinder Gupta clinched 56679 votes.

In yet another embarrassment for the Congress party, the two times cabinet minister, Sham Lal Sharma from Akhnoor seat lost to BJP’s Rajeev Sharma with a margin of 9380 votes. Rajeev got 41901 votes against 32521 votes of Sharma.

Meanwhile, four Congress candidates retained their seat with a thin margin. Sitting Minister Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress) retained his Banihal seat with slender margin. He polled 17671 votes against PDP’s Bashir Ahmed Runyal, who bagged 13322 votes.

Ajaz Ahmed Khan won by polling 22966 votes and defeated Kuldeep Raj Dubey of BJP, who got 16088 votes in Gool Arnas.

In Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori retained his seat by defeating Tariq Hussain Keen of BJP with a margin of 12370 votes. Saroori bagged 29754 votes against 17384 of Keen.

Congress also retained Surankote   with Ch Mohammad Akram son of party’s vetran leader Choudhary Mohammad Aslam defeating Mushtaq Ahmed Shah of National Conference by 8064 votes. Akram secured 30584 votes against 22520 votes of NC candidate.

However, changing the stats, Congress candidate from Gulabgarh seat, Mumtaz Ahmed registered victory by defeating NC stalwart and former minister, Abdul Gani Malik with thin margin of 1816 votes.

The loss of mandate is being attributed to a combination of the Modi wave and anti-incumbency against the 12-year rule of the Congress.

JK poll results fresh target of bookies

High stakes on Mufti as CM with BJP in coalition

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 22: Jammu and Kashmir poll results are high on betting target with bookies offering huge money on main contestants, particularly for Chief Ministerial candidate.

The gamble has already gathered pace for the final results of the assembly polls, wherein high stakes are on PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayed as Chief Minister with BJP as alliance partners.

According to bookies, wishing not to be named, the BJP is expected to win around 25 of the 87 Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir whereas PDP is expected to win 32 seats.

They added that huge money has been pumped in for the final results, wherein PDP and BJP are making rounds with high stakes.

They further claimed that the odds for Chief Minister have already been set for Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, followed by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti.

“The odds for Mufti Mohammed Sayeed are set at 40 paise per Rupee, while the highest odds of a massive Rs. 50 are being offered for Dr. Jitendra Singh,” they said and added that Mehbooba Mufti is riding on Rs. 1.20 for every rupee and the Abdullah scion at Rs 8 per rupee.

The bookies predict that the National Conference's seat share could drop to five from the current  28, while also predicting a complete wipe out for the Congress - which currently has 17 seats and has ended its alliance with the ruling National Conference.

The other prominent on the bet stake are Raman Bhalla of INC, Kavinder Gupta of the BJP in the Gandhi Nagar constituency. If the Bookies are to be believed, Raman Bhalla is deemed to lose election, due to Modi wave in the region. Besides, Sham Lal Sharma is also losing to BJP candidate, Rajiv Sharma.

Interestingly, the Election Commission - in an unprecedented move - has banned all exit poll and opinion polls in the state.

All eyes are on key contestants; more than dignity at stake for many

Assembly poll results

PS Bali

Jammu, Dec 22: As counting of votes for 87-Assembly seats in Jammu & Kashmir will take place tomorrow to decide the fate of 831 contestants across the state, all eyes are on the fate of the key contestants, who according to observers  have more than dignity on the stake.

Besides dignity, the question of existence of key players and some regional parties will be on stake, as the contest had been very interesting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenging traditional players its arch rival Congress party, besides regional parties NC, PDP in Kashmir  and  Jammu and Kashmir National Panther Party (JKNPP) in Jammu.

These parties have been part of successive governments at one or other time and were badly defeated in Lok Sabha elections some eight months ago.

The JKNPP is fighting this election for survival, the Congress and NC stalwarts contest to retain their respective seats as well as to remain relevant in the state politics.

As per observers, National Conference (NC) was on the back foot due to anti-incumbency and recent floods, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has taken all steps possible to gain public support to cease power.

Among many key contenders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has ditched his traditional Ganderbal seat, has contested from Beerwah constituency in Budgam and Sonwar Assembly seat and had fought elections with hope to retain seat.

PDP's chief ministerial candidate, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from Anantnag constituency in South Kashmir is facing challenge from Iftikhar Hussain Misger of NC and Hilal Shah of Congress.

Deputy Chief Minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand, who won the Chhamb seat in Jammu in 1996, 2002 and 2008 fought to retain the seat this time again.

Sham Lal Sharma of Congress, who had been MLA and minister for two consecutive terms from Akhnoor may gain some sympathy for resigning ministry following bickering with coalition partners and raking up issues like Hindu CM from Jammu.

NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar, who is also a minister in the J&K government, would be looking forward to a fourth consecutive term from Khanyar seat. He is facing fight from PDP's Mohammad Khursheed Alam.

The CPI (M) leader, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami would be trying his luck again from Kulgam Assembly constituency. He won his three elections from Kulgam since 1996 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

Finance Minister and NC's Abdul Rahim Rather, the ‘invincible actor’ would be seeking seventh term from Chrar-e-Sharief constituency in Budgam district with PDP's Ghulam Nabi Lone to challenge the veteran MLA.

The former separatist leader, Sajad Lone also contested his maiden elections from Handwara constituency. He is up against NC candidate Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, who is a four-time MLA.

Another prominent face of Congress, Raman Bhalla had been MLA and minister for two consecutive terms from Gandhi Nagar. Due to low voting percentage in the constituency, Raman Bhalla would be having an edge over others to retain his seat.

In Doda, Abdul Majid Wani, senior cabinet minister of Congress faced triangular contest from PDP and BJP. He would have uphill task to retain Doda seat, which he represents for last 12 years.

Senior Congress leader and Minister Taj Mohiuddin would be seeking his third consecutive term from Uri constituency. It is believed to be a tight contest with NC's Mohahamad Shafi.

Prominent faces of National Conference in Jammu region, Surjit Singh Slathia and Ajay Sadotra are also facing tough battle at Vijaypur and Marh assembly seats, respectively.

Former advisor of Chief Minister, Devinder Singh Rana, who is fighting his first elections from Nagrota is believed to face tough contest from BJP candidate Nand Kishore Sharma, who is also brother of party’s state president.

After facing debacle in various elections, including legislative and parliamentary, Dr Nirmal Singh preferred to contest from native place, Billawar to give tough fight to two times MLA, Dr Manohar Lal of Congress. He is also believed to be a chief ministerial candidate of the party.

Seeking fourth term from Ramnagar, Harsh Dev Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) had remained popular for bringing reforms in education during his brief tenure in PDP-Congress government.

Another JKNPP stalwart, Balwant Mankotia, who has been two times MLA from Udhampur, faces Triangular contest from BJP and BJP rebellion group. He has possibility to retain seat, due to BJP in-fight.

Pawan Khajuria: The BJP nominee is contesting against two times National Panthers Party (NPP) MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia. BJP has been hit by rebellion in the constituency, where its former leader Pawan Gupta has decided to contest as an independent candidate after denial of ticket.

Two times independent MLA, Ashwani Sharma, who recently joined BJP for Bishnah seat, is facing tough fight from NC candidate, Kamal Verma.

Congress rebel and former MP, Choudhary Lal Singh contesting on BJP mandate directly locks horn with BJP’s rebel and Congress candidate Jagdish Raj Sapolia from Billawar.

Two times MLA and NC Minister from Kishtwar, Sajad Ahmad Kichloo will be facing three-corner contest and this election will be a litmus test for him, as BJP has made serious foray in the polls this time.

Reject those who say BJP will not get any seat in Valley: PM to Jammu voters

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 16: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today asked people to give befitting reply to those, who say that BJP will not get a single seat in the Valley.

Apparently perturbed PM, was reacting to the    statements of Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) leaders that BJP will not get a single seat in the Valley in view of heavy voter turnout during the first four phases of elections.

 Modi asked people in Jammu to reply them in a similar manner by not allowing them to open any account in Jammu region.

“The People of Jammu region must make it sure that none of them would be able to open account in 20 constituencies of Jammu, which are going to polls on December 20,” he said and added that the people here must show ‘exit doors’ to these parties  .

While addressing his last leg of campaign for Assembly elections in the state here at MA Stadium, Prime Minister said that the people should vote with such a spirit that these parties cannot be ‘sited with microscope’. “Make sure that their accounts remain vacant village after village,” PM said.

During his 40 minutes long speech, Modi talked about ‘discrimination’ with Jammu region and said, “I often heard one thing many times in Jammu that the people of this region have been discriminated at the cost of Kashmir.”

Talking about the general feeling of discrimination with Jammu region, he held the family rule of NC and PDP responsible for it and said that the father-son and father-daughter politics kept the share of Jammu region away from them.

“The Congress also has been compromising with the interests of the people of Jammu by entering into coalition with either of these parties to share the fruits of power, without caring about their unstable ideology,” PM said and added that Congress know they are not accepted in Kashmir valley, so they fool people of the Jammu to garner votes to come in power, ‘J&K Congress is a party of infiltrators for me and is an opportunistic party, which doesn’t allow anyone to form a strong government.

“Congress fooled the people of Jammu region. If people here can understand the dirty politics of Congress, the fate of entire state will get change and BJP is the only strong government to bring that change, people are striving for,” Modi said and added that this is for sure that Congress will be defeated this time, but this will not be enough, make them bite the dust.

Underlying the vast scope of tourism in the state, Prime Minister said that Tourism is the only sector that provides employment to every class of people. He accused the ruling parties of the state for spoiling the potential tourism of the state by giving much attention to the Kashmir.

“Jammu region has a rich tourism potential and BJP strives to develop it at par with Kashmir. Youth here want job and tourism can generate jobs for all sections of the educated youth,” said Modi and added that government is willing to take several endeavors for the educated youth of the state to make them self reliant.

PDP, NC and congress time and again committed mistakes by ignoring aspirations of people, but every time people voted them to power due to lack of proper alternative, now time has changed and people will vote for BJP to bring development and peace in the state. He said, “Give full majority to BJP, we will give you complete development.”

Meanwhile, he said that people of the state had already declared their mandate in first four phases of the assembly elections and now its turn of fifth phase, which will decide the final results.

However, he said that there would be a surprise for the electorates in this election, ‘as all the calculations made by political pundits will be reversed as the flow of winds is in different direction’.

Narendra Modi asked over one lakh gathering at the stadium to turn up at polling booths in large numbers so as to show that their fingers pressing the EVMs are more powerful than those believing in the power of the gun.

He further promised permanent settlement of more than 12 lakh refugees.

Inside the venue: Modi and saffronized sentiments found brimming

PS Bali

Jammu, Dec 16: The Maulana Azad Stadium on Tuesday was surcharged with the Modi slogans amid thick security cover, almost covering more than one kilometer radius of the venue, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed more than 1.20 lakh gathering in the last phase of assembly elections.

The markets in the proximity of the venue were lifeless. But the mood inside the venue was electrifying—the scene "saffronized" as cloth sheets of saffron color dangled around the boundaries, and BJP buntings and festoons crisscrossed the stadium, besides colorful ‘rangoli’ and four mega screens were the feature of the PM rally.

As per organizing member of the BJP team, the party supporters were ferried from different districts in more than 1000 buses.

Much ahead of PM speech, the local party cadre wooed spectators.

Dr Jitender, MP said that other parties are trying to mislead people by propagating wrong information about BJP, but the saffron party has been very much intact with its ideology.

Jugal Kishore said that BJP stands for the development of all the three regions of the state, unlike previous governments that were centered towards particular region.

Inside the ground, the gathering of 1.20 was eagerly waiting for the Prime Minister. When Modi finally appeared on the stage, positioned at some 15 feet from the ground level, at 3:15 pm, the supporters and VIPs, seated in the ground stood up to welcome him amid slogans of ‘Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi.

Dressed in a black color suit, Modi waved towards the supporters from all corners of the stage.

For Vicky Mathur of Udhampur, who had come to attend the rally said that he had come to attend this rally only to hear Modi, who is a ‘good orator’ and has the ‘capacity to mobilize gathering’. He said, “I am not a big fan of BJP and it is for sure I am not going to vote for them, but their star campaigner is a good one to hear.”

The Prime Minister began his speech by naming all the party candidates and leaders present on the stage as people in the gathering shouted pro-Modi slogans.

After introductory part, Modi waved one more time and said in his candid attitude, “I have a complaint with the people of Jammu region. When I came here during Lok Sabha elections for campaigning for myself, not many people gathered at this venue, but now the number is double.”

His 40 minute speech was more development-centric, wherein he stressed on the tourism of the Jammu region and said successive governments of the state had deprived Jammu region of its share of tourism.

To mobilize gathering, he asked people, who is responsible for this condition of the state, people responded NC, he asked again, people replied with the same answer then he said yes Congress and NC are the culprits. He held father-son and father-daughter responsible for the mess in the state.

Modi talked about unemployment and vast tourism potential in Jammu and said that BJP alone can develop it and can generate much needed employment for educated youth.

He also raised the issue of ‘discrimination’ with the Jammu region and said that Kashmir-centric governments are giving step-motherly treatment to Jammu region.

Today was Modi's 5th visit to Jammu region and his first to Jammu for canvassing for party candidates.

The excitement of the people was electrifying as soon as he finished his speech.