BJP’s Historic Push: Ravinder Raina Rallies for First BJP Chief Minister in J&K

Jammu, 06-07-2024 : Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Saturday called on party workers and leaders to unite and ensure that the Union Territory gets its first chief minister from the BJP by securing a victory in the next assembly elections. Addressing hundreds of party delegates at the two-day ‘Vistarit Karyasamiti Baithak’ in Mishriwala, Raina criticized the Congress and the National Conference for allegedly exploiting various sections of the population for vote bank politics. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Jitendra Singh, National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and other prominent BJP leaders, including former deputy chief ministers Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta.

BJP national president and Union Minister J P Nadda also participated in the meeting’s second half to discuss the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Raina emphasized the importance of taking a collective pledge to work towards achieving a majority in the next assembly elections, with the goal of forming the government independently and having a BJP chief minister.

The meeting began with participants paying tributes to BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 123rd birth anniversary. Mookerjee, a founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (the predecessor of the BJP), was a staunch opponent of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1953 after being arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for protesting against the article.

Raina recounted the party’s previous pledge on May 17, 2023, focused on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and expressed gratitude to the 15 lakh party workers who ensured the victory of both Lok Sabha candidates from J&K. He urged the attendees to rededicate themselves to outperforming Congress and National Conference, highlighting the BJP’s efforts under Prime Minister Modi to provide justice to various deprived sections of society, including West Pakistani and PoJK refugees, Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis.

Raina credited the Modi-led government for healing the wounds of the people, restoring peace, prosperity, and development, and strengthening grassroots democracy through the implementation of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments. He also mentioned that the only pending issue remains the retrieval of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Union Minister Reddy, who is BJP’s election in charge for Jammu and Kashmir, explained that the meeting was part of a nationwide programme to prepare a roadmap for the next three to four months, following the formation of the NDA-led government at the centre for the third term. He stated that similar meetings were being conducted across the country to review Lok Sabha results, gather feedback from workers, and strategize for the future. Reddy noted that the upcoming assembly elections would be a significant topic of discussion during the meeting. He also pointed out that after the abrogation of Article 370, a positive atmosphere is prevailing in J&K, and the BJP’s support base is expected to strengthen further. The BJP plans to highlight its achievements in the Union Territory over the past decade.