BJP a force to reckon with in J&K

Ramban: BJP has become a force to reckon with in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chenab valley which has to elect as many as six seats to the state Assembly in the first of the five-phased elections on November 25.

The religious division is still intact here and bitterness caused by years of insurgency and Hindu-Muslim riots of August 2013 in Kishtwar is intense and enduring and has virtually conquered election campaigning too, if not overtly everywhere but an undercurrent of hostility is perceptible at most places.

While the BJP rides high and is making sailing for its rivals somewhat difficult in Chenab valley, it still faces tough time in some of the constituencies. Yet, it's poll managers are not completely off beam when they say the BJP will get Hindu vote en bloc whereas that of the Muslims will get divided among the NC, Congress and the PDP.