Dhol Beats, Posters As Kashmir Gears Up For PM Modi's First Visit Since Article 370 Abrogation — WATCH

BJP workers celebrate with traditional dhol beats and put up welcoming posters ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Security personnel stand guard near BJP flags put up along a road ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir valley, in Srinagar.

Source : PTI Images

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers celebrate with traditional dhol beats and put up welcoming posters ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. PM Modi's upcoming rally in Srinagar is anticipated to be the largest political gathering in Kashmir since the scrapping of Article 370 five years ago, marking his first rally in Kashmir since 2019.

Massive security measures have been implemented, with thousands of police and paramilitary personnel deployed around Bakshi Stadium, the venue.

Visuals From The Valley Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit: 

#WATCH | BJP workers beat dhols and celebrate ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

PM Modi will attend the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium and inaugurate initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crores today. pic.twitter.com/SvsJzaxd9o

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

#WATCH | Posters welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up in Srinagar ahead of PM's visit to Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/NYulpzD3G4

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

Residents of Jammu express optimism about PM Modi's visit, citing improved conditions since the abrogation of Article 370. A resident told ANI, "I think this is going to be a great visit of PM Modi because the situation in Srinagar has completely changed. Militancy has been brought under control. 10 years ago, people used to feel scared before visiting there, but now the number of tourists has also increased". 

#WATCH | Jammu: On PM Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, a resident of Jammu says "I think this is going to be a great visit of PM Modi because the situation in Srinagar has completely changed. Militancy has been brought under control. 10 years ago, people used to feel scared… pic.twitter.com/GGmMe1QpW5

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

Another resident, Rajendra, told ANI, "The situation in J&K is peaceful after the abrogation of Article 370. Today, the situation has completely changed...Earlier, people used to leave their homes and run away when there were attacks from the Pakistan side, but after the removal of Article 370, all this has stopped". 

#WATCH | Jammu: On PM Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, a resident of Jammu, Rajendra says "The situation in J&K is peaceful after the abrogation of Article 370. I am a contractor and we used to work at the India-Pakistan border. Before the abrogation of Article 370, several… pic.twitter.com/B2aTHCCxNh

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

PM Modi's rally holds significance for the BJP's electoral strategy. Security checks have been rigorous, including verification of participants and journalists covering the event. Traffic advisories and school closures are in place, with Kashmir University postponing exams scheduled for March 7.

Despite Bakshi Stadium's official seating capacity of 20,000, preparations indicate expectations of a much larger crowd. The BJP claims two lakh people will attend, endorsing PM Modi's development agenda and Article 370's annulment.

PM Modi is expected to announce projects related to tourism and agriculture, along with inaugurating an integrated development project for Kashmir's Hazratbal Shrine.

The rally signifies the BJP's push to gain traction in the Kashmir Valley, where it has not won a seat for assembly or parliament. The inclusion of the pahari community in the Scheduled Tribe list is seen as a strategic move to bolster support in the Valley and Muslim-dominated regions of Jammu, with several pahari leaders already joining the BJP.