SRINAGAR: In a significant BJP core group meeting in Jammu on January 18, the party aimed to discuss the poll strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May this year. The meeting was chaired by UT BJP President Ravinder Raina. Others who attended the meeting included party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, party Co-Incharge J&K Ashish Sood, and National Secretary Dr Narinder Singh.
According to sources, some senior party members highlighted the NC’s alleged communalisation of the situation in the Union Territory (UT) to create polarization before the elections. Despite this, it was noted that the ground situation in Kashmir was not favourable for the NC, and its claims were deemed baseless.
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National leaders urged J&K party members to gear up, focus on different regions, and concentrate on registering new voters. The emphasis was on informing them about the youth-friendly policies of the Narendra Modi Government.
The meeting decided to form a committee to strategize upcoming party programs. There were discussions about extending the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, a publically responsive initiative likely to continue for the next month. Simultaneously, the ‘Gaon Chalo Abhiyan’ planned for launch after January 26 would run concurrently with the Viksit Bharat Yatra to amplify the reach of the Modi Government’s message.
Strategies to increase voter share in the UT were outlined, emphasizing the enrollment of new first-time voters who turned 18 after 2019. Plans were also made for a nationwide program addressed by PM Modi on January 25, targeting new voters, with an emphasis on ensuring that more voters from the UT listen to it.
While talking to The New Indian, BJP Chief Spokesperson Sunil Sethi said, “The meeting was described as significant and important. Extensive discussions on various political issues and developments relevant to the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir for Parliament and Assembly took place. The party formulated a vast strategy to fight elections in the UT.”
While the party aims to outperform itself in Jammu and Udhampur LS seats, it is confident about convincingly winning the Rajouri-Poonch and Anantnag constituencies, receiving broad support from all segments of society. Strategies for winning Parliamentary elections in Srinagar and Baramulla LS constituencies were also discussed, considering developments in Kashmir post the 2019 decision, improved security, near-normalcy, and economic progress.
The BJP called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to rise above the divisive politics of NC, PDP, and Congress, standing with Narendra Modi and the BJP in the national movement of development and well-being.
Talking to reporters, party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh stated the BJP would contest elections based on the performance of the Narendra Modi Government. He emphasized the government’s achievements, including providing houses to the poor, restoring peace in J&K, and promoting progress and prosperity.
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Chugh took a dig at the NC for accusing the BJP of playing a communal game and challenged its leadership to provide an example of communalizing the situation during the Ram temple construction. He compared this to the NC Government and PDP being responsible for the exodus of lakhs of Kashmiri Hindus.