Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 22: Despite failing to open its account in the Kashmir Valley during the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP has stepped up efforts to consolidate its presence in the region ahead of the upcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayat polls. The party has begun inducting mass-based leaders and grassroots representatives in a clear attempt to strengthen its organisational footprint in the Valley. The joining of several elected representatives from Panchayats and ULBs on Saturday signals a strategic shift in the BJP’s focus towards Kashmir. During the previous ULB and Panchayat elections, the BJP had performed relatively well in the Valley, largely due to the boycott by the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Satpal Sharma said that people in the Kashmir Valley are disillusioned with traditional political parties. “These parties have done nothing for the people except exploit their sentiments on emotive issues,” he said, adding that the BJP is steadily expanding its base in the Valley with growing local support.
Among those who joined the BJP were DDC Members Manzoor Ahmad Ganie (Aripal–Pulwama), Mansha Akhtar (Achgoza–Pulwama), and Mehmooda Akhtar (Shadimarg); former Srinagar Municipal Corporation corporators Danish Bhat and Nazir Gilkar; former BDC Chairman Altaf Mir; Apni Party J&K youth wing provincial president Khalid Rathore; Aga Syed Abbas Rizvi, state general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board and former DPAP state secretary; former BMO Dr Yaseen Ul Hussain Bhat; Gulshan Begum, former NC Sarpanch; Abdul Rashid Zargar, NC block president Trehgam Kupwara; Aijaz Ahmad Mir, PDP district secretary Srinagar; Manzoor Ahmed Thakur, PDP district vice president Srinagar; Mohammad Ashraf Thakur, PDP secretary Srinagar; along with their supporters and associates.
The new entrants were welcomed at a function held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar by J&K BJP president and MP Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma, and party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul.
Addressing the gathering, Sat Sharma described the induction as a reflection of growing public confidence in the BJP’s vision of development, transparent governance, grassroots empowerment, and inclusive growth in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party’s leadership and public outreach would further strengthen efforts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity across the Union Territory.
Sunil Sharma termed the joining of senior political figures and grassroots representatives a strong endorsement of the BJP’s governance model. He reiterated the party’s commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy, ensuring equitable development, and safeguarding the interests of all sections of society.
Ashok Koul said the steady influx of leaders from different political backgrounds demonstrates the BJP’s expanding organisational base and credibility across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that the party’s disciplined cadre and development-oriented approach are increasingly resonating with the people.
The newly inducted members expressed confidence in the BJP’s leadership and pledged to work towards the progress, peace, and overall development of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the BJP’s renewed outreach in the Valley comes against the backdrop of a disappointing performance in the 2024 Assembly elections. The party failed to win a single seat in Kashmir despite fielding 34 candidates across the 46 constituencies.
Except for Gurez and Habba Kadal in north Kashmir, all BJP candidates forfeited their security deposits. The party lost Gurez by a margin of nearly 1,100 votes. Overall, 32 of the 34 BJP candidates in the Valley lost their deposits, marking a significant setback.
Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, projected as the party’s prominent Muslim face in the Valley and appointed chairperson of the Khadi Board with Minister of State status, also failed to retain her security deposit. She secured only 1,359 votes.
Moti Koul, the BJP candidate from Habba Kadal in Srinagar district, was the only one who managed to save his security deposit. Contesting in a constituency that recorded just 21 per cent voter turnout, Koul initially trailed in seventh position but moved up to runner-up after migrant votes were counted. He eventually lost to NC’s Shamima Firdous by a margin of over 2,000 votes.
In Shopian, BJP candidate Javed Ahmad Qadri secured more than 3,300 votes but still forfeited his deposit due to the high voter turnout in the south Kashmir constituency. |
