Amit Shah: '370 and 35A were the biggest hindrances for development'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday, October 26, said the voter turnout in the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir BDC Elections reflects the people's faith in Democracy and asserted Article 370 hindered the development process in the region. 

'370 and 35A were the biggest hindrances in the development'

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the 98% turnout and said this reflects people's accord to grassroots level governance.

"I am delighted to share that the BDC polls in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Ladakh were conducted in a very peaceful manner. There was no violence. This shows the people’s unwavering faith in democracy and the importance they accord to grassroots level governance," he added.

The BDC elections held in Jammu and Kashmir recorded a turnout of 98.3 per cent on Thursday, October 24. The Congress and PDP, however, boycotted the first electoral exercise in the valley after the abrogation of Article 370. While Srinagar recorded a 99 per cent voter turnout, the Shopian and Pulwama districts saw voter turnouts of 85.3 per cent and 86.2 per cent respectively-both were the lowest in the region. Meanwhile, the ten districts of Jammu saw a 99.4 per cent turnout. Meanwhile, Ladakh recorded a turnout of 97.8 per cent. 

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