BJP leaders discuss various issues with DM
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 24: Not giving any timeframe of holding much awaited Assembly elections in the Union Territory (UT) of J&K, Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh today said that Assembly poll can be held at anytime in the UT now and party should gear up for the same.
Rajnath Singh who was on one day’s tour of Jammu to address a function of Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum (JKPF) said this later in an informal meeting with party men at BJP headquarters here at Trikuta Nagar in reply to a question of a senior party leader and former Minister who wanted to know will Assembly elections be held in J&K in 2024 or before that?, patty sources told Excelsior.
The Defence Minister without mincing words said “The elections will be held on time and may be before 2024 as the poll process is on at party level”. The BJP leaders were eager to know about the timeframe by which the Assembly elections will be held in the UT, sources added.
Sources said the party senior leaders including UT president Ravinder Raina former Ministers, party general secretaries, party general secretary (Org) Ashok Koul, ex-presidents, MPs, heads of Morchas etc who attended the meeting raised various issues concerning the prevailing political, economical, security situation, party affairs and issues related Development of the UT.
They were also of the opinion of appointing political advisors in the UT so that the administration can come up to the expectations of the people. Some party men were of the opinion that a void has been created between the administration and the masses as the administration is not properly responding to the people’s issues raised by them from time to time.
Some senior leaders said even the administration is not responding to the issues concerning to the public brought into their notice by the party leaders also. However, Rajnath Singh advised them that some senior four to five leaders of the party should meet the Lt. Governor who is a seasoned politician and discuss the issues with him, sources added.
The issue of reservation or PoJK refugees in Assembly also came up for discussion as some of the BJP leaders raised it with the Union Minster during the meeting who said that he will take it up with Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, sources said.
Sources said the Enemy Property Act also came up for the discussion and some members wanted that after abrogation of Article 370 the people holding the evacuees land be given the property right on the same as is prevalent in other parts of the country bordering Pakistan. Rajnath Singh said that he will take up the issue with the Union Home Minister.
The issue of Jammu based SC employees and their security besides, the PM package employees and other minority employees working in Kashmir valley who became the target of selective killings during last one year was also highlighted by some party leaders. The BJP leaders said that there are 20,000 employees of minority community including those belonging to SC community serving in Valley and accommodations must be constructed for them in secured areas, sources added.
A senior party leader said that 6000 accommodations which were sanctioned by Rajnath Singh when he was Home Minister have not been constructed till date and only 1000 accommodations among them are ready. He demanded that the work be speeded up on these quarters and the construction of the same be handed over to some Defence Agency which can build them on war footing basis, sources said.
The compensation issue of border residents whose land has come under Army fencing was also raised and Defence Minister assured that the issue will be settled.
Rajnath Singh, while commenting on the eight years of Narendra Modi Government said that India has been now recognized as a global power under the Modi regime. “We are recognised as a power now and respected all over the Globe”, he added.
Earlier Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Ravinder Raina gave a grand welcome to Rajnath Singh on his arrival at the party headquarters.
Union Minster, Dr. Jitendra Singh also accompanied Rajnath Singh during his visit to party office.
Singh also discussed other matters relating to the efficient political system in Jammu & Kashmir and the future growth and development of the region.
He said that under the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi unparalleled development has taken place with an empathetic approach towards every marginalized section of the society.
He said that Modi has created new records with total selfless and unrelenting efforts to take the nation to new heights. It was because of Modi Government’s tireless efforts that not only India efficiently sailed through the COVID pandemic times, but also now it is leading the world in every important matter, he added.
“As a global leader Modi has set up an example of how to cope with worst situation and bring the country out of troubling time. He showed great maturity and managed the safe eviction of Indian students from war ridden Ukraine by talking to Russia, Ukraine and America”, Singh added.
Earlier, Ravinder Raina welcomed the Defence Minister, recalled, and appreciated the role of Singh in various political and organizational matters concerned with Jammu & Kashmir especially during his tenure as national president of the party.
Rajnath Singh also interacted with the party leaders, in which all the leaders univocally complimented the Modi Government for strong decision to abrogate Articles 370 & 35(A) and the efforts of the Union Government headed by Modi in making special efforts to boost development in J&K.
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