PM Modi connects with voters in J-K, says Omar Govt. was 'sleeping during floods'

Taking potshots at the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday alleged apathy on the part of the state government during the devastating floods.

"I'm sorry to use harsh words, but when the floods struck the government here was sleeping. Everyone celebrates Diwali with family, friends. Even I am human, wish to celebrate Diwali with family and friends, but I did not. I came here, spent the day with you, shared your pain," Prime Minister Modi said at an election rally here at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.

"When I offered flood relief, you said don't give it to state government, give it directly to us. Didn't trust state government?" he asked.

Promising to usher development in the state, Prime Minister Modi added that he would build a new Kashmir on the basis of 'insaaniyat, kashmiriyat and jamhooriyat' as promised by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Polling for the third phase of assembly elections will be held tomorrow in Jammu and Kashmir.

In Jammu and Kashmir, sixteen assembly segments spread over three districts of Budgam, Baramulla and Pulwama will go to polls in this phase and about 13.6 lakh voters will exercise their franchise at 1,781 polling stations.

The valley had witnessed 72 percent voter turnout in the second phase of the assembly elections.

The result of the polling will be announced on December 23.