Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 16: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) convened a core group meeting on Sunday to devise a robust strategy for the ongoing budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The meeting, held amidst heightened political activity in the Union Territory, focused on enhancing the party’s approach to counter the ruling National Conference’s narrative on the region’s current situation. Party sources revealed that the core group expressed satisfaction with the performance of BJP legislators during the initial stages of the budget session, which commenced on March 3, 2025. However, the leadership emphasized the need for a more aggressive stance to challenge the National Conference’s perspective effectively. With 28 seats in the 90-member Assembly, the BJP remains a significant opposition force, and the core group underscored the importance of leveraging this position to influence legislative proceedings. J&K BJP president Sat Sharma, Tarun Chugh, national general secretary and Prabhari, J&K, Shrikant Sharma, MLA Mathura and Sangathan Parv Observer J&K, Ashok Koul, General Secretary (organization), Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, BJP national secretary and MLA Dr. Narinder Singh, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, former Dy. CMs Dr. Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta, General Secretaries Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal and Vibodh Gupta, senior leader Dr. Darakshan Andrabi, vice-president Shakti Raj Parihar, chief Spokesperson Sunil Sethi, Spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina, and others participated in the meeting. A key decision emerging from the meeting was the directive for party legislators to undertake thorough preparation before engaging in debates on critical issues. “The leadership has instructed all MLAs to do their homewo The BJP meeting focused on enhancing the party’s approach to counter the ruling NC's narrative on the region’s current situation. The core group expressed satisfaction over the performance of BJP legislators in the ongoing budget session. The leadership emphasized the need for a more aggressive stance to challenge NC. Leadership directed the party legislators to make thorough preparations before engaging in debates on critical issues. k meticulously,” a source familiar with the discussions said. This preparation is seen as essential to ensure that the party’s arguments are well-researched and impactful, particularly on matters concerning governance, development, and public welfare. Additionally, the meeting highlighted the need for improved floor coordination between senior BJP leaders and first-time MLAs. Sources indicated that the party aims to present a united and cohesive front in the Assembly to effectively counter both the ruling National Conference-Congress alliance and other political groups. “Better coordination will allow us to respond swiftly and decisively during debates, ensuring that our voice is heard loud and clear,” the source added. The budget session, the first under the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government since it assumed power in October 2024, has been marked by intense discussions on issues such as statehood restoration and developmental priorities. The BJP, which secured a strong performance in the Jammu region during the recent Assembly elections, is keen to assert its influence and hold the government accountable on its promises. The core group’s strategy reflects the party’s broader objective of maintaining its relevance in Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving political landscape. As the budget session progresses, all eyes will be on how the BJP executes its plan to challenge the ruling coalition and shape the narrative in the Legislative Assembly. The session promises to be a critical battleground for political parties vying to address the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. With the BJP’s renewed focus on preparation and coordination, the coming days are expected to witness heightened legislative activity and spirited debates. |