HM meets top BJP leaders, Core Group
Reach out to all sections, polls EC’s prerogative
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is reported to have called upon the top BJP leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to further strengthen the organization for facing Assembly elections in the Union Territory whenever they are held after finalization of Electoral Rolls by the Election Commission of India on November 25.
He reportedly stated this during a meeting with Core Group leaders of J&K unit and other senior leaders at his residence in New Delhi this evening.
Insiders said the meeting lasted about an hour and the Home Minister took detailed review of political situation and development scenario of the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by BL Santosh (general secretary organizations), Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Tarun Chug, general secretary, Incharge J&K, Ashish Sood, co-Incharge H&K, Ravinder Raina, UT president Narinder Singh, national secretary, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP, Kavinder Gupta and Dr Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Ministers, Devender Singh Rana, Sunil Sethi, Shakti Raj Parihar, Sat Sharma, Sunil Sharma, Devender Manyal, Vibodh Gupta and Girdhari Lal Raina.
Prior to meeting with Shah, the BJP leaders had their meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi. BJP president JP Nadda was scheduled to attend the meeting but couldn’t join due to preoccupation.
The BJP leaders gave their view point on the situation and also referred to protest by certain organizations including daily wagers etc.
“Though Jammu region is strong bastion of the BJP, Kashmir is also equally important and we must strive to gain more political hold there,” Shah is reported to have told the BJP leaders during the meeting. He said the party should be strengthened in entire J&K and not only in Jammu region. The party leaders should focus on Kashmir valley too, he is understood to have said.
There was a view that after publication of final electoral rolls on November 25, the Election Commission of India will call an All Party Meeting on Jammu and Kashmir elections in which the BJP, like other parties, will give its view point. However, it is prerogative of the Election Commission to take a call on conduct of Assembly elections.
But there was unanimous view that the BJP should reach out to all sections and corners of the Union Territory to further strengthen itself. For the purpose, Tarun Chug is undertaking extensive tour of Jammu region from August 29-31.
Assuring justice with Paharis, the meeting observed that there was no need for Gujjars and Bakerwals to believe that injustice will be meted out to them.
There was unanimous view that everyone will be treated equally and fairly.
Massive response to ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in Jammu and Kashmir was strongly appreciated by the Union Home Minister.
The BJP leaders welcomed initiatives of Central and Jammu and Kashmir Governments on development front and hoped that the works and projects under Centrally Sponsored Schemes as well as UT Government it will be further expedited.
As BJP UT president Ravinder Raina is completing his second term, there were indications that either Raina will get third term or there will be election for the post of party chief.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
