Srinagar, Sep 19: In his first poll rally in Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday again hit out at ‘three families’ – who lead the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress – for putting stones in the hands of the youth for their political benefit.

He said the three parties looked at J&K politics as their fiefdom and property and did not allow anyone else to come forward

During the rally, Modi also assured that the BJP will restore statehood to J&K, as promised.

Continuing his criticism of Abdullah, Mufti and the Gandhi families, who lead the NC, PDP and the Congress respectively Modi said they want to bring back the old days.

“I vow that I would not allow the three families of Jammu and Kashmir to destroy another generation,” the PM said while addressing the rally in support of BJP candidates at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here.

He said that youth in J&K were kept away from studies in schools and colleges and these three families were happy by putting stones in their hands.

“These people have ruined the future of our children for their benefit… I will not let another generation of ours be destroyed at the hands of these families. That’s why I am sincerely working towards restoring peace here,” Modi said.

The PM also blamed the three families for migration of Pandits from Kashmir.

“We are now working to unite people and reduce the distance between “Dil aur Dilli” (hearts and Delhi),” he said

The Prime Minister said that now schools and colleges in J&K are running smoothly throughout and children have pens, books and laptops in their hands.

He even hinted that the schools in J&K in the past were set on fire at the behest of the three families.

Today, there are no reports of fires in schools; instead, there are reports of new schools, new colleges, AIIMS, medical colleges and IITs being built,” Modi said.

The PM said over the past 35 years, Kashmir was closed for nearly 3,000 days.

“It means that eight years were spent in closure. In contrast, in the last five years, Kashmir has not been closed for even eight hours. This is your achievement,” Modi said.

He asked the crowd if they wanted those old days to return.

“Do you want strikes and bloodshed again? Do you want our daughters from weaker sections to have their rights denied once more?… We are focusing solely on accelerating development and progress in J&K,” the PM said.

Modi alleged that the three families do not want to let anyone else come forward except their own members.

He said every force conspiring against Jammu and Kashmir must be defeated.

“Ye Modi ka iraada hai,vaada hai (This is Modi’s intention and promise). I will liberate Jammu and Kashmir from terror and terrorism. Every force conspiring against Jammu and Kashmir must be defeated,” he said, adding, providing employment opportunities to the youth is his intention and promise.

The PM also praised the people of J&K for coming out in large numbers to vote in the first phase of the Assembly elections.

“The elections were held without the shadow of terrorism and it is truly a festival of democracy,” Modi said, adding that Kishtwar saw 80 percent voter turnout, Doda 71 percent, Ramban 70 percent and Kulgam over 62 percent.

“It’s a historic moment, breaking previous records,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister said the world is now watching how the people of J&K are strengthening Indian democracy.

Modi sought votes for BJP candidates for the second phase of polling on September 25.

UNI