Jammu, November 9: Neeraj Anand, the prominent business leader and president of the Chamber of Traders Federation (Jammu), announced his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, citing his dissatisfaction with the party’s inability to address the issues facing the business community in Jammu. Anand, who had joined the BJP in October 2022 with high hopes of resolving critical challenges, expressed his disappointment, stating that the purpose behind his initial affiliation with the party had not been fulfilled.
In a candid statement, Anand reflected on his decision to join the BJP and his subsequent disenchantment. “I had joined the BJP with the belief that the party would address the pressing issues faced by our community, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, I have been left disillusioned as these issues remained unresolved,” he said. Anand had been appointed as the convenor of the BJP’s industry cell in February 2023, a role he assumed with the hope of driving change for the business community.
Anand further elaborated that his decision to join the BJP had been sanctioned by the working committee of the Chamber of Traders Federation, as there was no political government in Jammu and Kashmir at the time. His goal was to advocate for the business sector, which, he argued, had been consistently overlooked by the prevailing political establishment.
The resignation marks a significant shift in the dynamics of Jammu’s business community, which Anand described as feeling marginalized under the current political system. “After consultations within the federation, we have decided to raise our issues more forcefully. We intend to draw the attention of the newly-formed National Conference government to our concerns,” he said, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
Anand stressed that the business community, a cornerstone of Jammu’s economic development and stability, faced unique challenges that required targeted solutions. “Our community needs timely intervention, supportive policies, and a proactive approach to ensure sustainable growth and a conducive business environment,” he stated, calling for policies that would ease the process of doing business and address the specific needs of the region’s entrepreneurs.