📷 Image Credits: News18
The BJP is gearing up for the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir assembly election, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. The party has set its eyes on promising to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in its manifesto. The announcement of the poll dates is expected soon after August 19, following the conclusion of the month-long Amarnath Yatra.
After a crucial meeting held in Delhi, attended by top BJP leaders like party president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it has been decided that the BJP will contest in all 90 seats in J&K without entering into any pre-poll alliance. The decision marks a strategic move by the BJP to focus on all seats in the region, including the 24 under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The party is also open to post-poll alliances with like-minded parties, as per sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the face of the campaign, similar to previous assembly elections in other states. The party is leveraging the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu king who chose to join India, in its manifesto.
Additionally, the BJP will highlight issues such as the J&K Bank Scam and the Roshni scam during the campaign. The party’s state leadership has been tasked to brainstorm over the manifesto, with a strong focus on the promise of reclaiming PoK. This move aligns with Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier promise to conduct the J&K polls before September 30, followed by the restoration of statehood.
The BJP’s J&K election in-charge G Kishen Reddy and Prabhari Tarun Chugh, in a meeting in Jammu, have emphasized capitalizing on the electoral losses of prominent leaders like PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference’s Omar Abdullah in the recent Lok Sabha election. The party’s campaign strategy includes targeting these losses to bolster support.
With a strong focus on reclaiming PoK, leveraging historical narratives, and a clear roadmap for the upcoming polls, the BJP is gearing up for a significant electoral campaign in Jammu & Kashmir.
