Help make Kashmir paradise again: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had kept its promise and integrated Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in India. While addressing a rally here the Prime Minister made an appeal to help make Kashmir "a paradise again".

"Until now, the slogan was 'Kashmir Hamara Hai', but now, 'Kashmir Ko Phirse Swarg Banana Hai' should be our motto. Let us apply the soothing balm to the festering wounds of our Kashmiri brethren which had been created due to the misrule in past decades," Modi urged.

He said that the new resolve should be "Ab Naya Kashmir Banana Hai", "Har Kashmiri Ko Gale Lagana Hai" for which he sought the help of the people of Maharashtra.

"All attempts to destabilise India and Jammu and Kashmir are taking place from across the borders. But, now the people in Jammu and Kashmir are clamouring for development, peace and jobs. I want all of you to come forward and help to rebuild Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh," exhorted Modi.

Modi was addressing a massive rally here marking the conclusion of Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis' 4,000 km long 'Mahajanadesh Yatra', which ended here after covering the state in phases in August.

Modi rued that despite such a historic step, the Opposition was trying to exploit it for political gains, but for the BJP "nothing is bigger than Nation and its security".

He said the BJP symbolised a strong and stable government which 'promised, performed and delivered on all fronts -- women, farmers, students, youth and all sections of the society in the past five years'.

Modi reiterated that his government had performed at record speed in the first 100 days in power and promised that "more will come soon".

It may be recalled that the BJP has decided to make the abrogation of Article 370 a poll plank for the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra next month.