SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Maintaining that there is a discernible change in Kashmir since the abrogation of controversial Article 370 and 35 A on August 5, 2019 by Narendra Modi led Government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said that unlike past people in Kashmir Valley are in large numbers participating in Tiranga rallies.
This was claimed by J&K party president and MP Rajya Sabha, Sat Sharma while addressing party office bearers meeting at Nowgam in Srinagar on Sunday.
Sharma said that after abrogation of Article 370, the people in Kashmir Valley participated in Tiranga rallies despite threat from some political parties. This shows that the people of Kashmir want peace and prosperity, he added.
The party held one day office bearers meeting at Srinagar which was followed by district Prabharis and MLAs separate meetings to discuss the BJP’s strategy for future UT wide programmes and increasing public outreach.
The meetings focused on further strengthening the organization, expanding grassroots outreach and preparing for upcoming political and organizational programmes.
Sharma presided over the meetings of office bearers and district presidents while MLAs meeting was chaired by Leader of Opposition , LoP, Sunil Sharma. Besides them the meetings were attended by Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, BJP’s general secretary (Org), Ashok Koul, MP, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, and former Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh. The proceedings were conducted by BJP general secretary, Anwar Khan.
Sat Sharma said that BJP has emotional attachment with Kashmir as the founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS), Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee laid down his life on the soil of Kashmir in 1953.
He said the new national president of the party, Nitin Nabin has given directives to all states to increase the public outreach.
Sharma stressed the need for continued ideological commitment and a stronger organizational presence at the booth level. He called for regular meetings at every level of the organization from Booth and Shakti Kendra to Mandal, district and State to ensure better coordination and sustained engagement with the public.
He also called for increased “Pravas” by senior leaders and office bearers to strengthen direct contact with people across Jammu & Kashmir. He said the BJP is not merely a political organization but a movement rooted in nationalist ideology and dedicated to public service.
Sunil Sharma recalled the sacrifices and dedication of BJP cadre in Jammu & Kashmir, saying that the party’s growing strength at the grassroots is the result of the commitment and hard work of its workers over the years.
He said “Historically the party (BJP) passed through various stages since the incorporation of controversial Article 370 and 35 A in the Constitution, but we did not give in and facing all odds the BJP emerged as main opposition in J&K”.
He said as the dynastic parties failed to come to the expectations of the people in J&K, they are now looking towards BJP and the party is committed to come to their expectations and it will not let them down.
Sunil Sharma said the security is an important issue for the people of J&K particularly in Kashmir Valley and recently some security related issues were faced in Kashmir. “ The security of the common man as well as BJP activists in the UT needs to be ensured,” he added.
Making a scathing attack on Pakistan, he said the neighbouring country is not silent as it is hell bent to create disturbances in the UT. He also turned tables on NC Government for its failure in fulfilling poll promises, increasing power tariff and growing corruption.
Maintaining that biggest challenge is the growing corruption in the governance he said the party will fight a battle for eradication of corruption from public platforms to Assembly forcefully. He said outsourcing of employees’ recruitment is the glaring example of corruption in the UT. He also accused the NC Government of its failure in implementing the democracy at grassroots level by showing reluctance in holding overdue Panchayat, Municipal and local bodies elections.
Later talking to reporters, Sharma warned that BJP will hold Secretariat gherao in Srinagar on September 2 against what he described as Omar Abdullah’s “misgovernance and corruption”. During the gherao the hike in power tariff and outsourcing of employment will be highlighted, he added.
Sharma said the Secretariat Gherao will be centered on issues including “unemployment, alleged corruption, Panchayati Raj elections and the increase in electricity tariff”.
He also accused the Government of making a “joke” of unemployed youth by allegedly selling jobs and giving them to relatives and workers on the name of outsourcing.
Ashok Koul reviewed the ongoing organizational activities and programmes, including the Digital Learning Programme, Mann Ki Baat, and monthly meetings at the Shakti Kendra, Booth, Mandal and District levels. He emphasized the need for consistent organizational activity and greater coordination among party workers.
Jugal Kishore Sharma described the political resolution as a roadmap for the party’s future course of action and urged the cadre to work with dedication towards its implementation.
Dr Nirmal Singh said the UT office bearers have an important role in maintaining a strong link between the party organization and the people. He called for greater interaction with workers and the public at the grassroots level.
He said Kashmir has a long history of civilization and rich culture so it is historically important for the party and holding of such meetings in the Valley is also strategically important. Maintaining that BJP believes in “Vasudev Kutambkam”, he said the two nation theory of Jinah has failed and Pakistan is at the verge of disintegration while quoting the unrest in PoJk and Balochistan.
He also cautioned people about naxal mindset saying they are trying to create a wedge among the people.
Gulam Ali Khatana underlined the growing importance of social media and other media platforms in taking the party’s programmes, policies and public outreach initiatives to a wider audience. He urged party workers to make effective use of these platforms to strengthen communication with the people.
He also took a dig at the Government for increasing power tariff and putting an additional burden on people of J&K.
The meetings reviewed organizational functioning and discussed strategies for strengthening the party’s presence and public outreach across Jammu & Kashmir.
The leadership called upon the party cadre to remain united, disciplined and connected with the people while working with renewed commitment towards strengthening the organization at every level.
