Narrative in JK needs to be shifted towards development: Shah

Allaying apprehensions of large-scale anti-militant operations under Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP president Amit Shah today said the narrative needed to be shifted towards balanced development of the state even though the Centre had zero tolerance for terrorism.

He defended the withdrawal of his party's support to the PDP-led government in the state, saying the decision was taken in view of the deteriorating law-and-order situation and failure of the state government to ensure an equitable development, especially of the Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Shah said the number of terrorists killed in the state in the last four years under the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre was the highest.

"The media is forming a narrative, linking the Governor's rule with the security forces' operations. I want to tell the media that the BJP withdrew support (to the state government) because of the lack of balanced development, discrimination and failure of the government to maintain peace," he said at a public rally here.

The BJP chief appealed to the media to change the narrative.

He said the Centre had a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, but that did not mean the whole narrative was based on it.

Shah addressed the rally without using a bullet-proof shield, which was removed from the podium at his request.

"If someone tries to vitiate the atmosphere of peace, the security forces will not sit idle. Let them do their job, our narrative should be that the IIM and the medical colleges should start functioning early, the ring roads and rural roads are constructed soon and the bunkers for the safety of border residents are constructed early," he said.

Appealing to the media to concentrate on the development work in the state, Shah said, "Modi had a dream for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Bangalore -- where the youth are shaping their own future, he wanted the youth of the state to march ahead and play their role in the development of the country."
"I want to appeal to the state administration to transfer the remaining money to the account of the beneficiaries as they are waiting for it for 70 years. The West Pakistani refugees should also be given Rs 5.5 lakh per family as promised by the Centre," he said, adding, "We will ensure that the money reaches the West Pakistani refugees and for that, if there is a need to change the rules, it will be done."