Assembly polls were fight between nationalist & separatist ideologies: BJP’s Sunil Sharma

Jammu, Oct 11: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma Friday said that recently concluded J&K assembly polls were fight between nationalist and separatist ideologies.

Sharma spoke to news agency KNS about the ideological battle that shaped the election and reflected on his party’s performance, particularly in Kashmir, where the BJP struggled to make inroads.

Sharma began by framing the election as a clash between two opposing ideologies. On one side, he said, was the legacy of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, supported by separatist forces and stone-pelters. On the other side there were nationalists, who, according to Sharma, emerged victorious in this ideological confrontation.

“This was not a battle between two individuals; it was a fight between two schools of thought,” he asserted, adding that the nationalist vision won out in the end.

When asked about BJP's inability to secure a seat in the Kashmir Valley, despite the party’s growing influence, Sharma acknowledged the challenges. “We had hoped to open our account in Kashmir, but several factors contributed to our inability to do so,” he explained, without elaborating on the specific challenges.

However, Sharma emphasized the BJP’s expansion in the region, claiming that the party has garnered a significant vote share, both in Jammu and Kashmir. “We are now the largest party in terms of vote share. It’s only a matter of time before this translates into electoral victories,” he added optimistically.

On the question of the BJP’s pre-election slogan of securing “50 plus” seats and ensuring a Dogra Chief Minister for Jammu, Sharma stood firm, stating that aiming high is essential. “We gave the slogan of 50 plus. Our goal was 100 percent, and while we didn’t reach that number, we worked hard toward it,” he said.

He acknowledged that external factors, including the political climate and people’s choices, influenced the final outcome. Nevertheless, Sharma expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the BJP, noting that the party has made significant inroads into Jammu and Kashmir politics.

When the conversation turned to the defeat of BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president, Ravinder Raina, in the Nowshera seat, Sharma dismissed the idea that it was due to any shortcomings.

He praised Raina’s leadership, highlighting his pivotal role in securing 29 seats for the BJP across the region. “Raina ji had a broader responsibility as the state president. He focused on the overall success of the party rather than his own constituency, which led to his narrow loss,” Sharma remarked.

He also drew parallels with the defeats of major political figures in history, citing the examples of Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who both faced electoral losses at times during their careers.

Sharma thanked his supporters and pledged to work tirelessly to meet their expectations. “I will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people who have placed their trust in me. From development to security, I will do everything in my power to ensure our region’s progress,” he said.