Modi keeps his promises, right things will happen at right time: PM in J-K

Sonamarg, PTI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that he would keep promises he made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, in an oblique reference to the demand for restoration of statehood voiced strongly by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Modi was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a strategic 6.4-km tunnel here connecting Kashmir with Sonamarg and constructed at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore. Speaking earlier at the function, Abdullah pressed for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as promised by the prime minister before the assembly elections in September last year and said, "My heart believes that you will fulfil this promise soon".

Without making a direct reference to the issue of statehood, Modi told the gathering, "You have to believe that this is Modi and he keeps his promises." "There is a right time for everything and right things will happen at the right time," he said. Abdullah, while welcoming Modi, referred to his speech made on International Yoga Day last year and said, "You gave three very important points in your programme. You talked about 'dil ki duri' (distance between hearts) and 'Dilli se duri' (distance of people of Jammu and Kashmir with Delhi) and said you are trying to eliminate both these things." He said it was an honour to have the prime minister inaugurating two important projects in Jammu and Kashmir within a span of 15 days.

Last week, Modi virtually inaugurated the Jammu railway division. "With such projects, not only the distance of the heart but the distance from Delhi is also reduced," Abdullah said, thanking the PM for staying true to his words. The chief minister said that people often meet him and ask when Jammu and Kashmir's statehood would be restored.