JAMMU, March 7 -- Ahead of the beginning of the poll battle on ground zero, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Kashmir Valley, for the first time after the Abrogation of Article 370, on Thursday to participate in the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme.

Modi's visit to the valley is aimed at galvanising the party cadre and bolstering the party's poll campaign. The mass contact programme of the Prime Minister has also raised the hopes of residents in the valley as they are anticipating the conduct of the Assembly polls alongside Lok Sabha polls.

By winning the hearts and minds of the people of Kashmir, the Prime Minister will be sending a firm message to the political opponents who often raise fingers questioning...