Udhampur/Poonch, Nov 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Jammu and Kashmir has seen no development in the past 30 years. He accused the National Conference (NC), the Congress and the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) of indulging in corruption, looting the state and emotionally blackmailing its people.

PM Narendra Modi at an election rally in Udhampur. Inderjeet Singh

Addressing an election rally at the Battal Ballian area of Udhampur on Friday, Modi said the formation of a BJP government was a must for the development of the state. "Corruption, loot and emotional blackmail have become a habit of politicians," he said. Alleging corruption in J-K, the PM said funds sent by successive governments at the Centre had been pocketed by select families in the state.

Lauding the people of J-K for giving a befitting reply to terrorists by coming out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote in the first phase of Assembly elections, Modi said the heavy turnout was a victory of the ballot over the bullet.

"Terrorists are frustrated because their threats to the people against participating in the democratic process have failed to yield any result. Voters have overwhelmingly reposed their faith in the ballot instead of succumbing to threats of the bullet," he said.

While Modi was addressing his second election rally, a fierce encounter was going on between terrorists and security forces in the border town of Arnia, about 100 km southwest of Udhampur.

"Terrorists are frustrated. They think that they can terrorise the people by using guns and bullets. Democracy is flourishing in Jammu and Kashmir," said Modi.

Although he avoided mentioning the encounter in Arnia, he told the gathering that the entire nation was behind the people of Jammu and Kashmir because the turnout in the first phase had sent a clear message to the world that democracy had deep roots in this part of the country.