Managed to change JK’s history, replace Pak flags with tri-colour: BJP

The BJP’s Kashmir-unit had organized a function to welcome the party ministers in the Valley on the first day of opening of civil secretariat offices here.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and J&K’s Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh Tuesday said his party has “managed to change the history of the State as Pakistani flags have been replaced with the tri-colour.”

Addressing BJP workers at Nigeen Club here, the Deputy Chief Minister said “it’s been a pleasure and a moment of pride for BJP to be a part of the government in J&K.”

“I remember the time when only a few people would recognize the BJP flag in Kashmir. Today we are here not only as a party but as part of the government too,” he said.

The BJP’s Kashmir-unit had organized a function to welcome the party ministers in the Valley on the first day of opening of civil secretariat offices here.

All BJP ministers except a few were present on the occasion and received rousing reception amid pro-party slogans.

This is for the first time in history of J&K that BJP celebrated the government formation in presence of party ministers.

“Today, it’s a moment of pride for us. All of us are here, active, and ready to see lotus blooming in Kashmir,” Singh said. “BJP has changed the history of J&K. The history is changing here. Today, we have replaced the Pakistani flags with Indian flags. I was glad to see BJP flags waving outside the Civil Secretariat.”

The Deputy Chief Minister said the party flags could be seen in Kashmir despite the fact that “we drew blank” from the Valley during the 2014 Assembly polls.

Accusing separatists of “misguiding youth”, Singh said “it is painful to see youth picking up gun and killing their own people.”

“Blood is blood. It is the human that dies. See the prosperity in Himachal Pradesh and other neighboring States of India. We want J&K to prosper on all fronts,” he said.

He said some people are still seen waving Pakistani flags, but “overall security situation has changed.”

“I salute the forces who put in their blood and sweat to ensure peace in Kashmir,” he said.

Blaming National Conference and Congress for “plundering” State’s resources and “promoting corruption”, he said the previous regime “has left the system rotten.”

“We are trying to correct the system. For that, we need some time,” he said. “They tried their best to ensure J&K remains without a government, but we defeated them and formed the government to ensure all-round development of the state.”

Later, talking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister said placing Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman under house arrest “is a preventive measure taken by the security agencies.”

“We don’t want peace to be disrupted,” he said.

On return of power projects, he said the issue has already been taken up with the Centre and there would be some headway in coming months.

Replying to a query that NC-Congress has accused BJP of “running RSS agenda in Kashmir”, the Deputy Chief Minister said the main basis of the Common Minimum Program between PDP and BJP is development.

“We do have different ideologies, different political thinking, but our Agenda of Alliance revolves around development of J&K,” he said.

The BJP ministers who spoke on the occasion include Bali Baghat, Chander Prakash Ganga, ChowdharySukhnandan, Abdul GaniKohli, PriyaSethi.