Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that “terrorism” would return to Jammu and Kashmir if the National Conference-Congress alliance came to power in the Union Territory; the choice before people, he argued, was between facing a revival of terrorism or peace and development.

Shah’s remarks came as the Jammu region is battling a robust revival of militancy under central rule that has claimed dozens of lives since 2020. Most militants involved in these attacks remain at large.

The home minister made no mention of the downturn in the security scenario. “If they (NC-Congress) come, be assured terrorism will return. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Jammu, will have to decide whether you want terrorism or peace, security and development,” Shah told a gathering in Jammu. Shah claimed the two parties want to release people jailed for pelting stones and militancy and re-open the cross-LoC trade to help militants.

"Their purpose is to release them and bring back terrorism to our Jammu region, including Poonch and Rajouri, where there is peace. Would you allow terrorism in Jammu, Poonch, Doda and Rajouri?” he asked.

All of these districts have witnessed a spate of deadly attacks in the last few months, prompting thousands of soldiers, paramilitary men and police to launch countless operations to nab them.

“Modi’s government came and those funding terrorism were destroyed. They are in jail. They want to restart LoC trade. Who will benefit if it is reopened? Its dividends would go to terrorism,” Shah said.

Shah also claimed the two parties want dialogue with Pakistan and vowed there will be no talks until peace returns to the region.

"The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir are historic because, after Independence, the polls are happening for the first time under our national flag and Constitution, unlike the past practice of two flags and two constitutions,” Shah said.

Shah also played the Jammu card and said it would be the first election where the government “will be decided by the people of Jammu”. A controversial delimitation exercise in 2022 increased Jammu’s seats to 43 from 37 while Kashmir's seats rose from 45 to 47. Kashmir is more populous than Jammu.

In Jammu, it is the Hindu majority areas which got more seats.

Shah also said that nobody would be allowed to touch reservations of the Gujjars, Paharis, Bakerwals and Dalits. The BJP-led government has granted reservation to the Paharis, triggering anger among the Gujjars, Bakerwals, Kashmiris and Dogras.