Resentment in Udhampur, Marh over selected names
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Sept 8: As BJP released its sixth list of party candidates for 10 more constituencies, going to polls under 3rd phase of the upcoming Assembly elections in J&K Union Territory, many eyebrows were raised on a few names and even strong protest by the party workers was witnessed in Udhampur.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The party announced candidature of R S Pathania from Udhampur East constituency, Dr Bharat Bhushan from Kathua, a JKAS officer who has taken VRS, (SC Reserved), Rajiv Bhagat from Bishnah (SC Reserved), Vikram Randhawa from Bahu and Surinder Bhagat from Marh (SC Reserved).
Similarly, in the Kashmir division, Mohd Idrees Karnahi is the BJP candidate for Karnah Assembly constituency, Ghulam Mohammad Mir for Handwara, Abdul Rashid Khan for Sonawari, Naseer Ahmad Lone for Bandipora and Faqir Mohammad Khan for Gurez (ST).
With the release of its 6th list of candidates, BJP has covered all 43 Assembly seats in Jammu division. However, selection of some candidates triggered strong resentment among the supporters of front runner aspirants who were believed to have been unofficially conveyed of party mandate by the BJP high command.
Selection of R S Pathania from Udhampur East and Surinder Bhagat from Marh Assembly constituency came as surprising shock for the supporters of Pawan Khajuria and Balbir Lal, respectively who registered their strong protest against the decision of party high command.
As soon as the news of mandate to R S Pathania flashed, a large number of supporters of Pawan Khajuria assembled in front of the party office in Udhampur and held a strong protest demonstration amid raising of slogans.
Led by DDC Parikshat Singh, Advocate Amit Sharma and others, the protesting supporters locked BJP District President Arun Gupta in the party office and threatened to resign enmass. They also raised slogans against J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina. Besides two DDC members, the protesters included several BJP office bearers, former Panches and Sarpanches.
Later, in a social media post, Pawan Khajuria asked his supporters to assemble at Celebration Banquet Hall in Battal Walian Chowk tomorrow morning at 10:30 am for discussion with them.
Similarly, in Marh Assembly constituency, candidature of Surinder Bhagat triggered strong resentment among the supporters of senior BJP leader and former Minister Choudhary Sukhnandan, who was purportedly backing DDC Balbir Lal for the party mandate.
A number of supporters of Choudhary Sukhnandan assembled at his house and conveyed their resentment against the party decision. They urged that Ch Sukhnandan should extend his blessings to Independent candidature of Balbir Lal in case the party high command does not change the candidate.
When contacted, Ch Sukhnandan told the Excelsior that he was feeling disappointed and mulling to quit politics. “I am a Jutt Putt (son of Jaat) and misfit in the politics of deceit,” said the BJP leader and added that he would, however, continue to work for farmers and workers to vociferously highlight their issues.
Pertinent to mention that earlier also BJP had to face strong protests over selection of some party candidates and this was the reason that official announcement for some seats in Jammu division was delayed. Even there was change in candidate for the Katra Mata Vaishno Devi seat after formal announcement.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
