Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 18: Only a few hours left for filing of nomination papers in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha but the ruling BJP has yet not declare its candidate for this prestigious segment. Silence maintained by the BJP fueled speculation that the party is not going to field candidates on all three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir Valley. During his visit to Jammu on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has dropped hints that party was not going to field candidates on the Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir Valley. Union Home Minister asked people in Kashmir Valley to vote against dynastic political parties in the Lok Sabha elections. While addressing a rally at Paloura, Amit Shah did not mention the name of any political party but he cautioned the people of Kashmir against dynastic parties like Congress, National Conference, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Interestingly, the Union Home Minister has not asked voters of Kashmir Valley to vote for the BJP but he only appealed voters to the Kashmir to give a befitting reply to parties like the PDP, NC, and the Congress. Amit Shah’s statement is very significant because the BJP has yet not announce candidates fo Silence maintained by the BJP fueled speculation that the party is not going to field candidates in Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah dropped hints that BJP is unlikely to field candidates in Kashmir. Shah asked people in Kashmir to vote against dynastic political parties. The BJP has not announced candidates for three LS seats of Kashmir. three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir Valley. “Opposition propagates that BJP wants to seize control of the Valley”, Shah said but hastened to clarify that BJP was not interested in taking over but in winning hearts. Shah emphasized that the BJP is in no hurry; when they receive love from the Valley, the lotus will bloom there as well. Shah appealed to the voters of the valley, urging them to vote for anyone but not for these three family-centric parties. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Sonia Gandhi only work for their families and not for the people. Shah stated that the PDP, Congress, and NC had hindered democracy, being the “three family alliances” that monopolized representation and prevented panchayat elections. Although things will be cleared only after the expiry of the date of filing nomination papers on April 19, it is believed that the BJP will support the Apni Party candidate Zaffar Iqbal Manhas. After filing his nomination paper for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat the Apni Party candidate Zaffar Iqbal Manhas pointed toward the statement of the Home Minister to clarify that BJP is not going to field its candidates on three seats of Kashmir Valley. |