Jammu and Kashmir will get statehood, assembly elections soon: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be reinstated soon, adding that Assembly elections will be held after the statehood reinstatement.

Addressing a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur in support of BJP candidates, the PM said, "The time is not far when Assembly Elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will get the status of statehood. You will be able to share your dreams with your MLA and your ministers."

He added that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will take place in Jammu and Kashmir without the fear of terrorism, strikes, stone-pelting and cross-border firing.

Modi further said that he had fulfilled his promise of putting an end to the long sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and challenged the Congress and other opposition parties to bring back Article 370 of the Constitution.

Seeking votes for BJP candidates from Udhampur and Jammu, Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore respectively, PM Modi said the upcoming election is meant to provide a strong government at the Centre that can take on the challenges facing the country head-on. Udhampur will to polls on April 19.