The Kashmir Pulse

KARGIL — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu commemorated the 25th anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War by paying tribute to the martyrs at the Drass War Memorial. Both leaders spoke of the significance of "Kargil Vijay Diwas", which marks the successful conclusion of 'Operation Vijay' and honours the bravery of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Prime Minister Modi, while laying a floral wreath at the memorial, reaffirmed India's commitment to peace and the resolve to crush militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that the security forces will continue to thwart any attempts to destabilize the region. "Our forces will crush terrorism with full might and give a befitting reply to enemy designs," Modi stated, addressing the nation from Drass.

The Prime Minister also launched the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. He pointed out that despite Pakistan's continuous efforts to promote 'terrorism', India remains steadfast in its development goals for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Five years post Article 370 abrogation, Ladakh and J&K are prospering," he said, citing infrastructure projects, a rise in tourism, and the re-opening of cinemas in Kashmir as signs of progress.

President Murmu echoed similar sentiments, lauding the soldiers' bravery and urging citizens to draw inspiration from their courage. "Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day to honour the exceptional valour of India's armed forces," she stated.

Modi also criticized the opposition, particularly the Congress party, for ignoring the demands of the armed forces in the past and politicizing defence reforms like the Agnipath scheme. He asserted that the BJP government has prioritized military welfare, implementing one rank-one pension and boosting domestic defence production.

The Prime Minister concluded with a strong message to Pakistan, warning that their attempts to incite proxy wars would fail. "Pakistan has not learned from its past mistakes. Today, I want to tell the patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed," he declared.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to take steps towards forming the government, with plans to officially stake their claim on Friday, following a series of strategic meetings and endorsements.

In a key meeting held in Delhi, NDA leaders unanimously named Narendra Modi as the leader of the alliance. Sources revealed that all NDA parties pledged their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), solidifying Modi's position as their leader.

The decision comes after the BJP-led NDA secured an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha elections, winning a total of 292 seats, with the BJP alone claiming 240 seats, reaffirming its dominance in Indian politics. Despite the victory, the Congress-led INDIA bloc remains a formidable opposition, securing 234 seats.

In anticipation of the new government, President Droupadi Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, acting upon the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet. This paved the way for the transition to the new administration.

As the NDA prepares for government formation, a meeting is scheduled for June 7, where NDA MPs will convene to formally elect Narendra Modi as their leader, further cementing his leadership role ahead of staking their claim.

"We acknowledge that government formation is a meticulous process requiring careful coordination," stated an NDA source. "It's crucial to ensure thorough preparation, which is why we've scheduled the official claim for Friday."

The unity within the NDA is evident as they gear up to establish the new government, with allies actively seeking key portfolios in the upcoming cabinet.

The swearing-in ceremony for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term is expected to take place on the evening of June 8 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where new cabinet members will also be sworn in, marking the official commencement of the new government's tenure.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse