Srinagar/UNI: In his first public rally in Kashmir after the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that 'political parties including Congress and its allies were misguiding not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but the entire nation over the now-abrogated Article 370.'

Modi in his 27-minute address which was one of the biggest gatherings in the recent past in Kashmir focused on development, corruption, tourism and won the hearts and minds of people in Kashmir.

The PM didn't mention anything about restoration of statehood and holding of Assembly elections in J&K.

"J&K is now breathing openly…. This freedom has come after (abrogation of Article) 370.

"For decades, Congress and its allies (apparently referring to NC and PDP) deceived people of J&K and country in the name of Article 370 for political benefit," Modi said in his address.

He said the political parties and some families were benefiting from Article 370- which gave special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"People of J&K have now understood that they were being deceived. J&K was tied with chains for the benefit of some families. Today Article 370 is not there hence the abilities of youth of J&K are fully respected.

"Today, the talent of Jammu and Kashmir is getting its due respect today as there is no Article 370," the Prime Minister said.

Citing the example of J&K bank- the biggest in the region, Modi said it was a "victim of dynasty politics and corruption".

Photo courtesy: UNI

"The previous governments brought their relatives into the bank and broke the bank’s back. There was mismanagement. The money of poor people of Kashmir would have been lost.

"We did reform after that and decided to help the bank with Rs 1000 crore. The past five years, thousands of youth of J&K have got employment in bank with complete transparency," he said

He said the bank was failing but has again become strong and today its profit is Rs 1700 crore.

"..The deposits have increased to 1.25 lakh crore. The NPA is now below 5 percent from 11 percent. Bank shares increased 12 times to ₹ 140 from minimum of ₹ 12."

Modi said he has been able to win the hearts of people and will keep trying hard to win more.

He referred to the 2014 floods when Kashmir valley witnessed its worst ever deluge after the Jhelum River overflowed in many parts of the region.

"Whenever I came here after 2014, I have always said that I am working hard only to win your hearts and I am seeing that I have been able to win your hearts.

"I will keep trying hard to win more. This is Modi ki guarantee and you know that 'Modi ki grantee' means, there is a guarantee of fulfilling the guarantee," the PM said.

He said the success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the centre of attraction for the world.

Modi said his next mission is that people of the world should come to Jammu and Kashmir for their weddings.

"People should come to J&K and host their weddings... The world has seen how G20 was organised in J&K. There was a time when people used to say, who will go to J&K for tourism?

"Today, tourism in J&K is breaking all the records. In 2023, more than 2 crore tourists have come here... Now, even big celebrities from across the world are coming to Kashmir," he added.