Despite threats, BJP continues expansion efforts across Kashmir Valley
Despite militant threats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is continuing with efforts to expand its base in the Valley. The party is also eyeing members of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities even as it is yet to register its maiden electoral win in Kashmir.
“Yes, security is a major concern but nothing will stop us from our mission. On Monday, we had a workers’ convention in Anantnag. On Tuesday, a convention will be held in north Kashmir and on Wednesday, another meet will be organised in central Kashmir. These meetings are being held in view of the upcoming urban local bodies and panchayat elections,” BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur told Kashmir Post.
The recent killing of a BJP leader on Eid in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district had forced many party workers of the area to shift to safer places. A few workers had also resigned as several intimidating videos surfaced on the social media.
Earlier too, BJP workers have faced threats from militants and mobs. In the 2016 unrest, 19 workers were attacked by mobs as per the party spokesman. The developments came at a time when the party was on the job to expand its base.
Though the BJP claims of enrolling over 3.5 lakh members, the party is yet to win an election in the Valley. The party had fielded 34 candidates in 2014 elections but all of them lost.
Meanwhile, the party is also eyeing the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities. While BJP state general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul interacted with the representatives of the community here on Sunday, he urged them to bring senior members of the communities for further talks.
“You bring your senior members. We will listen to them and put forward our views,” Koul remarked during the interaction.
In an effort to reach out to the communities’ members, he also dispelled the notion that the BJP was anti-Muslim. “The BJP is the only party that does not discriminate in the name of caste, colour, creed, religion or sex and aims for the all-round development of all sects and areas. There are some political agents who are projecting the BJP as anti-Muslim to serve their interest and save their vote bank,” he said.
