Party to seek votes on peace, development
Srinagar, Sep 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to release its election manifesto on Friday in Jammu, marking the launch of the party’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his two-day visit to the Union Territory, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will officially unveil the manifesto at 4 pm, signaling the party’s focus on development post-abrogation of Article 370.
Shah’s visit is seen as a significant move in the BJP’s election strategy, especially with internal dissatisfaction brewing over ticket distribution in the region.
This discontent has led the party to initiate damage control, dispatching senior leaders and Union ministers over the past week to pacify concerns.
Shah is expected to meet party leaders and delegations of workers later this evening, before formally launching the campaign in Jammu on Saturday, where he will address a rally.
Jammu, a key battleground for the BJP, holds particular importance in this election.
The party aims to solidify its stronghold in Jammu by focusing on the development that has occurred following the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status in 2019.
According to party insiders, the BJP’s campaign will also highlight other key issues, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the newly implemented Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations.
Another significant talking point is the representation of Kashmiri Pandits, a longstanding concern that resonates with many voters in the region.
While the BJP plans to run an aggressive campaign in Jammu, its strategy in the Kashmir Valley is different. The party has opted not to field its own candidates in all seats and is likely to back independent candidates instead. Sources say that the BJP leadership has decided to downplay its efforts in Kashmir, focusing its resources on defending its dominance in Jammu.
Notably, the party is also considering a reshuffle in its candidate list by potentially denying tickets to some senior leaders and former ministers in Jammu. This move is seen as an effort to introduce new faces and inject fresh energy into the campaign as the BJP seeks to challenge the alliance between the Congress and the National Conference.
The BJP’s decision to contest the elections independently, without forming alliances with other parties. However, the party may extend support to independents in the Kashmir Valley, allowing it to maintain influence without direct confrontation in areas where it is less popular.
