BJP banks on ‘sectarian divide’ to accomplish Mission 44+
Leader says poll plan focusses on KPs, Sikhs, Paharis, Gujjars, Shias
In a bid to open its maiden account in Kashmir Valley in the upcoming assembly elections, the BharatiyaJanta Party (BJP) has gathered information about all migrant Kashmiri Pandits and “under a strategy” woo them to ensure their maximum participation in the elections beginning November 25.
“As per our information, the KPs can play a decisive role in at least 6 to 7 seats in the valley, especially in its peripheries, and therefore, to take this process forward, a committee will be constituted within days to establish a contact with each KP family,” a party leader told Greater Kashmir.
He said: “The party’s Kashmiri Visthapit Cell is already on the job and has established contact with many migrant Kashmiri Pandit families, whether residing within the state or outside, or even abroad.”
The issue, the leader said, has also been discussed with the party’s central leadership. “Very soon the committee would be constituted to mobilize and woo KPs and ensure their maximum participation in the poll process. The idea is to make the Mission 44+ successful,” he said.
Party insiders say the “wishes and aspirations of the community will be incorporated in the party’s manifesto as already discussed with the central leaders.”
“In the backdrop of poll boycott by Kashmir separatists and if KPs turn out to vote in large numbers, the BJP will spring up surprises in the valley,” they said.
Nirmal Singh, president of the BJP’s State Election Committee, said, “All efforts are being made by the party to ensure maximum participation of KPs in the assembly elections. Apart from KPs, the party is also working on a strategy to get support of the Pahari speaking people of the valley, Shias, Sikh community and Gujjars.”
“We are already getting a good response from these communities,” he said.
The party is also getting a “reasonable support” from the Muslim community of the valley, he claimed.