MK News Network
Jammu, Sep 20: In a determined push to break into the Congress-NC stronghold of the Pir Panchal region, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a high-octane campaign, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh set to address a series of rallies over the weekend. The rallies come as the BJP eyes a breakthrough in this crucial region during the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on September 25.
However, this time, the BJP is mobilizing its top leaders to change the dynamics. Shah and Singh, along with other prominent BJP figures, will lead a total of six rallies over the next two days, aimed at energizing the electorate and consolidating the party’s presence in Rajouri and Poonch.
Amit Shah will spearhead the campaign in Rajouri on Saturday, addressing multiple rallies in Mendhar, Surankote (Poonch district), Rajouri, and Thanamandi (Rajouri district). He is also expected to hold a rally in the Nowshera constituency on Sunday to support J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will follow on Sunday with three major rallies in Poonch, Surankote, and Jammu.
The BJP’s media center head, Arun Gupta, confirmed the party’s ambitious plans. “We are going all out to win voters in Rajouri and Poonch. Our star campaigners, Amit Shah Ji and Rajnath Singh Ji, will hold eight rallies over the weekend,” Gupta said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to join the campaign on the final day of canvassing, further intensifying the BJP’s efforts in the twin districts.
Changing Demographics and BJP’s Strategy
The BJP’s focus on Pir Panchal reflects the party’s intent to expand beyond its traditional voter base. The recent inclusion of Pahari, Paddari, Gaddi Brahmin, and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list has given the BJP fresh ground to cover, particularly as many Paharis are Hindus, a key demographic the party hopes to win over.
“Out of the eight assembly seats in the region, five are reserved for STs, where Gujjars form a significant voting bloc. The BJP has fielded candidates accordingly, ensuring that the Gujjar community feels represented,” said political analyst Vikas Kumar.
Among the BJP candidates are two-time MLA Zulfkar Choudhary (Budhal), Iqbal Malik (Thanamandi), Choudhary Abdul Gani (Poonch), former MLC Murtaza Khan (Mendhar), and former minister Syed Mustaq Bukhari (Surankote). Ravinder Raina, party general secretary Vibodh Kumar, and Randhir Singh are contesting from Nowshera, Rajouri, and Kalakote, respectively.
Modi Magic and Key Issues
With high-profile rallies, the BJP is banking on what it calls the “Modi magic” to swing the region in its favor. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and several other leaders have already visited the region, contributing to the BJP’s electoral blitz.
The party’s campaign has been dominated by national issues, including the abrogation of Article 370. BJP leaders argue that reinstating Article 370, as proposed by the Congress-NC-PDP alliance, would undo the reservations granted to Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, and other marginalized communities.
“The BJP views the Rajouri-Poonch belt as a key battleground. The focus is on increasing its tally beyond the two seats it won in 2014,” Kumar said.
Congress-NC-PDP Alliance on the Defensive
While the BJP is pushing forward with aggressive campaigning, the Congress-NC-PDP alliance has maintained a comparatively low profile. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a major rally in Surankote on September 23, while NC vice president Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti have held rallies in Mendhar, Rajouri, and Poonch over the past two days.
In the 2014 elections, PDP secured three seats in the region, with the remaining going to Congress and NC. This time, the alliance hopes to retain its stronghold, but the BJP’s heavy campaign presence has altered the political landscape.
As Pir Panchal gears up for the elections, the BJP’s star-studded rallies signal a fierce contest in this historically challenging region. Whether the Modi magic will tip the scales remains to be seen.
