Today in Politics: All eyes on PM Modi’s Kashmir rally, first since Article 370 abrogation; BJP-BJD tie-up set to be sealed

Just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Srinagar on Thursday, which marks his first visit to the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370, scrapping special status to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), in August 2019.

On February 20, PM Modi had visited Jammu and addressed a public event there.

During his Kashmir visit, the PM’s development pitch will continue, with the unveiling of multiple development projects, this time worth more than Rs 6,400 crore. These are part of the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir” programme being held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

The PM will launch projects for the tourism sector under the “Swadesh Darshan” and “PRASHAD” (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes. This also includes a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

Modi will also distribute appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly-recruited government employees in J&K and also interact with the beneficiaries of various central schemes, including women achievers, farmers and entrepreneurs.

He will then address a public rally at Bakshi Stadium, which will be tracked closely for its messaging.

Parties in the Valley have been urging the government to hold simultaneous Assembly elections — J&K has not had an elected government since 2018 —- with the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While ruling in favour of abrogation of Article 370 in December 2023, the Supreme Court had also underlined the need to hold Assembly elections in J&K before September 30, 2024.

Many will observe the signals that the PM will send to the people and leaders of the Valley. Since Article 370 was abrogated, there has only been one meeting between the Centre and leaders of