Congress, NC and PDP were content with the chaos: PM Modi in Kashmir

Modi trained his guns at the three political camps over dynasty politics while addressing a public meeting in Srinagar.

"Three families have undermined Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat in Kashmir's politics. They treated politics here as their personal 'Jagir', preventing new leaders from emerging. They feared that local body elections would empower new faces, challenging their dynastic rule," the Prime Minister said.

"This eroded the youth's faith in democracy. Notably, the Congress, NC and PDP were content with the chaos! These families snatched people's rights, believing their dominance was everything. This situation is truly alarming for Jammu and Kashmir!"

In his speech, Modi, who abrogated Articles 370 and 35A in a historic step in 2019, pitching in youth's aspirations in the valley, which now do not enjoy a special status.

"Jammu and Kashmir's youth, once struggling, are now thriving under the Modi government! The BJP's initiatives for skill development and employment generation are transforming lives in the state," the Prime Minister said.

A historic three-phased election began on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir as the union territory began voting to elect a government in the first post-Article 370 polls under a heavy security blanket.

The second and third phases of elections will be held on September 25 and October 5 respectively.

Among the major contenders are the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party led by Mehbooba Mufti,  the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference of Omar Abdullah, the Bharatiya Janata Party  and the Congress. There are several Independents. Abdul Ghani Lone's People's Conference, Ghulam Nabi Azad's Democratic Progressive Azad Party, and Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party are also in the fray.

The banned Jamaat-e-Islami is also playing a role in the elections. It is supporting Awami Ittehad Party of Engineer Rashid, who stunned everyone by defeating from jail former chief minister Omar Abdullah in the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla.

In Aug 2019, Rashid was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on terror funding charges. On Sept 11 this year, he was granted interim bail until Oct 2, allowing him to campaign for the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election.

The Jammu Kashmir Assembly polls are historic, being held for the first time since the region underwent major changes over the past five years, including the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

This led to the conversion of the state to a Union Territory (UT) and its division, with Ladakh becoming a separate UT without a legislature.