"Peaceful elections, restoration of democracy": Hardeep Puri on J-K elections

New Delhi [India], October 2 : Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday that a significant shift from a tumultuous past to a peaceful democratic process marked a restoration of democracy in the region.
He noted that the region has transitioned from having a "stone-pelting industry" to witnessing a remarkable 65-66% voter turnout considering it a substantial victory.
"The ground situation in J-K before the elections was, there was an industry called stone-pelting industry...But yesterday's voting turnout was 65-66 per cent, which is a huge victory for us...Peaceful elections were held...There is a restoration of democracy," Puri said.
Expressing confidence in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Union Minister said, "We are sure that the BJP will win the elections...In the coming time, J-K's story will be one of the biggest stories of independent India."
Puri also attacked Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge for his remark about not dying until PM Modi is "removed from power," and PM Modi will not be the Prime Minister because he wants to; instead, he will be the PM because the people want him to be the prime minister of the country.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is not well, he should take rest...But he every time brings low-level political discourse...PM Modi will not be the PM because he wants, he will be the PM because the people want him to be the prime minister of the country...Our primary duty is to assess the country and that is taking place; we have become the 5th largest economy...Wherever elections will take place in the coming time, the results will be in the favour of the BJP party," he said.
Notably, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday felt unwell while addressing a poll campaign rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district and after taking rest, Kharge said that he will not die until PM Modi is "removed from power."
"We will fight to restore statehood... I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power," Congress leader Kharge said.
The third and final phase of polling held in the seven districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir concluded peacefully on Tuesday with a record voter turnout of 65.58 percent till 7 pm, according to the Election Commission of India.
With this, the polling has come to an end in the Union Territory with results schedlued on October 8.
Phase-1 and Phase-2 saw a polling percentages of 61.38 per cent and 57.31 per cent respectively. The counting of votes is scheduled on October 8