Sidhu first BJP leader to address rally in downtown Srinagar

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu today became the first BJP leader to address an election rally in downtown Srinagar, a hotbed of stone-pelting in the recent past, and wooed voters in his inimitable style.
Sidhu, who is campaigning for BJP candidates in Kashmir Valley, addressed a poll rally at Khanyar locality in Jammu and Kashmir's summer captial, which saw frequent stone-pelting recently.
"This is for the first time that a central BJP leader has addressed a poll rally in downtown Srinagar. It shows the inroads we have made across Kashmir," a local BJP leader said.
Sidhu's eloquence had the crowd admiring him with many recording his speech on their mobile phones.

Even security personnel, including police officers, used their mobile phones to record Sidhu's speech delivered in his inimitable style.
Using impromptu poetry, the former Lok Sabha member hit out at the National Conference, Congress and PDP for what he termed lack of development in the state.

"I have come here and visited so many places. It is difficult to say whether there are potholes in the road or the road is in potholes. It is time for people of Kashmir to support the 'Vikas Purush' (Development Man) Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"What have the Congress, National Conference and PDP given you for the last 60 years? Give a chance to us and and I assure you that Modi will bring the state on path of development within next five years," he said.

Earlier, Sidhu addressed an election rally in south Kashmir Pahalgam constituency.
Khanyar and Pahalgam are among 18 constituencies, spread over Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian and Samba districts, going to polls in the fourth phase of elections on December 14.