Modi on campaign trail in J&K, promises to bring film industry back to valley

Kishtwar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised to bring back the film industry to the Kashmir Valley, which he said would help in solving the problem of unemployment in the state.

"The film industry was crazy about Kashmir. So many films were shot here, but it is not the same now. I want to bring them back and give employment to youths here," Prime Minister Modi said at a rally on Saturday.

He also stated that if Gujarat's Kutch region could develop, then the same was possible in Kashmir. The Prime Minister asserted that Kutch was now the fastest growing district in Gujarat.

"I visited Kutch as the Gujarat Chief Minister. Kutch has significant population of Muslims. Earlier if someone was posted to Kutch it was seen as a punishment posting, but now I can say this that Kutch is the fastest growing district. If development can be brought in Kutch, then the same applies for Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Prime Minister Modi further emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir had potential to generate enough electricity that can serve the needs of the entire nation.

"Jammu and Kashmir alone has the strength to supply electricity to the entire country," he said.

Taking a jibe at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Prime Minister Modi said, "Gujarat has less rainfall and scarcity of drinking water. We built a pipeline and Narmada's water is now supplied to 9,000 houses."

"Jammu and Kashmir has Chenab next to it. Can't they supply water here?" he asked.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be held in five-phases beginning on November 25. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.