Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday kickstarted the BJP campaign for Maharashtra assembly elections at Nashik.

Modi, who is on a one-day visit to Nashik in north Maharashtra, addressed the concluding rally of ‘Mahajanadesh Yatra’ undertaken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In his outreach at the campaign rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the decision to revoke Article 370, that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was taken to unify the country.

He said he was satisfied with the new efforts made by the Government to curb the problems in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

“Implementation of India’s Constitution in totality in Jammu and Kashmir was not the decision of the Government alone, but it’s the disclosure of sentiments of 130 crore Indians,” Modi said.

He added that the decision was taken to bring the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh out from violence, terrorism, separatism and corruption.

“This decision is going to be the medium of fulfilling the aspirations and dreams of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Prime Minister asserted.

In an indirect attack on Pakistan, PM Modi said that efforts are being made from across the border to spread unrest and disbelief in the Valley. “Lot of efforts are being done to fuel violence in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

“Now we want to make Kashmir in India. Now, Indians will say they want to make a new Kashmir. Have to make a paradise there once again… have to embrace every Kashmiri,” Modi further said.

He said that Kashmir had lost out on a lot of good that could come its way from Delhi. “… But that hurdle has gone… they will benefit directly from Delhi now… it will benefit millions of people and give them a promising and better future.”

In his address, PM Modi also took a swipe at the Opposition for protesting against the restrictions imposed in the Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre revoked Article 370.

“I am seeing that in the last few days, there are some people who have come out and started speaking all sorts of rubbish… I want to tell these motor mouths to have some respect for the legal system and the courts. I urge you and request you with folded hands not to make such immature and unnecessary statements,” the PM said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and National Conference’s Omar Abdullah were recently quoted by Pakistan in its dossier to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on the situation in the Valley.

The BJP had lashed out at Gandhi saying that his statements help Pakistan more than India.

Pakistan had earlier too “dragged” the Congress leader’s name in its petition to the United Nations on Kashmir issue. Pakistan had taken up the issue of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution to the UN while quoting Gandhi’s comments to justify its stand.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government for the work they did in the last five years.

“Farmers of the state have benefited in last five years and women got better employment opportunities. The state government has given a direction to development,” he said lauding the Fadnavis government.

He further urged the people to recall the political instability of previous governments in the state, when Maharashtra did not progress at the pace it should have.

The Prime Minister also listed out the achievements of the Central Government.

“We are on the path of providing a house to every poor of the country. We have already built 2 crore houses. We have provided 8 crore free Ujjwala Gas connections. We are also working towards making India free from single-use plastic by 2022”.

The outreach programme was launched by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month.

Fadnavis toured the state ahead of the next month’s polls to highlight his government’s performance in the last five years.