Buoyed by the results of the Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared that the “people have set their narrative,” as the party gears up for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In contrast, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are focusing on reorganising their respective parties.
In preparation for the elections, the BJP held an executive meeting in Jammu, attended by key figures such as Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, G Kishan Reddy, Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina, and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh.
Tarun Chugh told ANI that the Lok Sabha elections showcased the people’s preference, defeating former J-K Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. He emphasised that “the people have shown their narrative” against “Pakistan’s agenda.”
Chugh also highlighted the upcoming party meetings, with BJP National President JP Nadda scheduled to arrive for a three-day session. He praised the current state of Jammu and Kashmir, attributing its status as a tourism capital and peaceful state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, appointed as the state election in charge, expressed confidence following the Lok Sabha elections and highlighted the strategic meeting of state workers, with JP Nadda set to guide them.
Ravinder Rana, BJP Jammu and Kashmir Chief, asserted that the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir will be from the BJP. He also noted the momentum gained from the BJP’s consecutive victories in the Jammu division in the Lok Sabha elections.
The scrapping of Article 370 in August 2019, which bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, has led to demands for early assembly elections and restoration of statehood. National Conference, led by Farooq Abdullah, also held a two-day working committee meeting, with Omar Abdullah affirming readiness for imminent elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently assured that preparations for assembly elections had begun, and Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar indicated that the J&K Assembly polls would follow the Lok Sabha elections. The previous assembly elections in 2014 saw Mehbooba Mufti’s Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party win 28 seats, BJP 25, Omar Abdullah’s National Conference 15, and Congress 12.
