Jammu faced discrimination in the past, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said there was a feeling among the people of Jammu region that they have been discriminated against and have not been given their rightful share in development.

"I have worked for my organisation for many years in Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever I would come to Jammu, I was told the region has been discriminated against and deprived of its rightful share in development," Modi said at a Bharatiya Janata Party election rally at the M.A. Stadium in Jammu.

"Today, I have realised there is substance in this feeling. You must understand that your problems owe their roots to the Congress that has exploited the region for political gain only."

Modi said the time has come when the people of Jammu should give a befitting reply to the "exploiters of the past" and ensure they do not get a single seat from among the 20 that will go to the polls Dec 20.

Modi hit at at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's statement that the BJP would draw a blank in the Kashmir Valley in the first four phases of polling.

"Does it suit these parties to speak of a regional divide in terms of the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region? I must tell these leaders that the people of the state have sealed their political future for good," he said.

The prime minister attacked the Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying families have continued their dynastic rule in the state to the detriment of the people.

"The poorest of the poor must be heard in a democracy and have the chance to change systems and governments, but when dynasties rule in democracies, such chances are lost for good," he said.

Modi said the National Conference and the PDP have worked a so-called "system of reservation" in Jammu and Kashmir "aimed at rotating power between father and son, and father and daughter".

In a lighter vein, Modi said he had a complaint to make about the people of Jammu who did not turn up in half the number as they did Tuesday compared to when he had come to seek mandate as the prime ministerial candidate six months back.

He introduced BJP candidates for Jammu district and sought votes for them.

Twenty constituencies in Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts of Jammu region will vote Dec 20 in the fifth and final phase of the assembly elections.