'Will take Vajpayee's vision forward', says PM Modi in J-K

Promising to usher development in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that he considers it his duty to deliver a new Kashmir on the basis of 'insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat' as promised by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"I have come here to share your sorrows, not to take anything from you. You have given me a lot of love, what can be greater than that. Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a good start, I have to fulfill Atalji's dream... he spoke of 'insaaniyat, kashmiriyat and jamhooriyat'; these are the pillars on which we will build," Prime Minister Modi said at an election rally here at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.

Referring to the countless opportunities missed by the youth of the state during the state's turmoil in the last decades, Prime Minister Modi said he would return the love he received with interest.

"Thirty years have passed, two generations have not had employment, I will bring development to Kashmir. I will return the love you have given to me with interest, I will return it with development," he said.

Talking about his frequent visits to the state, Prime Minister Modi said, "Elections have just started, but not a month passed by that I haven't come here to visit you. I came in July, August, September, October, November and I have come in December too. I have come in 2014, and I will also come in 2015 as well."

Prime Minister Modi also pointed towards the state's natural beauty and its immense tourism potential which could take the state to new heights of development.

"What does India have better than Kashmir to show to the world? We will take Kashmir to new heights of development. Tourism is fast growing in the world and our Dal Lake needs to flourish with tourists. Tourism is a sector which offers employment and a daily wage to every sector of the society," he said.

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

In Jammu and Kashmir, 16 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.