JP Nadda in Jammu: Party leadership meet to design strategy for J&K Assembly polls

Srinagar: The BJP leadership on Saturday began closed-door discussions in Jammu to design strategy for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir likely to be held by the year end even as the party has, once again, publicly exuded confidence of winning these comfortably and forming the next government in the Union Territory on its own.

Union minister for coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy who is also the BJP’s in-charge of J&K affairs claimed that a “positive environment and peace” prevail in the UT following the abrogation of Article 370 and it is because of this that “We are sure that support for the BJP will increase in the coming time.”

The BJP’s J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina, however, stated categorically that the party will win the upcoming Assembly elections with a comfortable majority and form the next government in the UT. At the same time, he urged the party workers and leaders to “work hard and work together” to ensure that J&K gets its first chief minister from the saffron party by winning the next assembly elections on its own.

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders and delegates from across J&K were joined by their national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, his cabinet colleagues Jitendra Singh and Mr. Reddy, National General Secretary (in-charge J&K), Tarun Chugh and some other key faces of the party at a two-day ‘Vistarit Karyasamiti Baithak’, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

Mr. Reddy wrote on microblogging site ‘X’ that in his address to the meet he highlighted the “remarkable transformation” in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government. “For decades post-independence, Article 370 had isolated J&K from the rest of the country. Following its abrogation, there has been a significant inflow of investments, rapid development of infrastructure projects, and the implementation of welfare schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, ensuring that 'Vikas' is manifest in all facets of life,” he claimed.

In another post, he said, “Also underscored the @narendramodi government's effective counter-terrorism measures, which have brought peace and prosperity to the region. Since the abrogation, local body elections have been conducted peacefully twice, reflecting the restored stability.”

While speaking at the meet, Mr. Nadda said that Mr. Mukherjee had decided that in India there cannot be two symbols, or two prime ministers and that J&K had to be an integral part of the country. “His resolve was translated into reality by the BJP government. Under the able and strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and because of his willpower and the strategy of Home Minister Amit Shah that Article 370 was abrogated. The BJP government ensured the concept of one symbol, one legislature and one Pradhan (chief) becomes a reality,” he said.

While paying tribute to Mr. Mukherjee, the BJP chief said, “I salute him and his vision. He had a special relationship with Jammu and Kashmir. He never stopped in his life. He did not crave for any post or status. He dedicated his whole life towards strengthening the idea of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.” He added, “He was a revolutionary and willing to sacrifice everything for the country. And he eventually laid down his life being incarcerated here in Jammu and Kashmir only. But we all know his sacrifice has not gone in vain”.

Mr. Nadda asserted that BJP is the only party that is self-reliant and won on its own strength in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. He hoped that likewise it would shine out in the Assembly elections in J&K.

The party sources said that Mr. Nadda held an executive meeting with the BJP’s J&K unit to discuss the strategy for the Assembly elections. The meeting was attended also by other visiting BJP central leaders including party’s J&K election co-incharge Ashish Sood.

Prior to the meeting. Mr Reddy told reporters in Jammu, “We are conducting a review after the Lok Sabha elections. We formed the government for the third time. We will discuss the upcoming programs of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.”