BJP will not allow any reference in J&K Assembly: Sat Sharma

Jammu, Nov 4: Newly elected President of J&K BJP Sat Sharma Monday stated that his party and its legislators would go to any extent to protest against any move or reference vis-a-vis Article 370 restoration in the Legislative Assembly.

Obliquely referring to the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that no would carry tricolour in Kashmir if Article 370 was fiddled with or was abrogated, Sat said that BJP members in J&K Legislative Assembly were committed to fail any attempt to even mention or refer to it (Article 370).

“You would have seen today how 28 legislators of BJP were up in arms in the J&K Legislative Assembly against the mention of Article 370 there. They clearly demonstrated that they would not tolerate any such language or reference to it in the Legislative Assembly; come what may. It has been made amply clear that BJP will go to any extent to protest against any such move and block it. Entire BJP rank and file is all prepared for it,” newly elected J&K BJP President said, while responding to media queries and in his maiden address after taking over the reins of UT unit.

Oblique reference was to the resolution moved in J&K Legislative Assembly by PDP MLA Wahid ur Rehman Para (Parra), opposing “revocation of J&K’s special status and the constitutional disempowerment caused by the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.”

“BJP has created a new history with 29 seats and its emergence as the party with the highest i.e., 26 percent vote share. Probably there was some shortcoming related to permutation-combination (on the part of the party). Otherwise BJP, undoubtedly, would have formed its own government in J&K,” Sat Sharma said. He stated that the party could not form its own government was not a matter of concern. “Matter of concern is that there are still certain demonic forces at work to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in J&K. BJP will not let them succeed at any cost,” he said.

“Given the scenario, BJP workers and leaders need to work with great caution. Today only I convened a meeting with the BJP legislators led by the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma. It was decided during the meeting that as and when any issue against the interests of Jammu would erupt or any such step would be taken, each and every BJP MLA would oppose it tooth and nail, then and there only (in Legislative Assembly). They (BJP MLAs) will go to any extent to register their point that J&K is an integral part of India and Jammu does not lag behind Kashmir in any respect,” Sat Sharma said.

“Assertion will be that both regions i.e., Jammu and Kashmir should be treated at par. Equitable treatment with both the regions was the need of hour and any aberration on this account would not be tolerated by the party,” he said. “On one hand, our 28 MLAs are actively thwarting any nefarious designs within the Assembly and on the other hand our countless activists are ready to resist any anti-national or anti-social design on the roads,” new J&K BJP President said.

He also focussed on the need to further “strengthen the will to fight the ill designs of certain forces which intended to destroy the development agenda set up by the Modi government in Jammu & Kashmir.” BJP MLAs as well as party leaders would never deviate from their ideology of ‘Nation First’, he said.

Sat Sharma said, “I served as the President of J&K BJP earlier also prior to taking over the reins by Ravinder Raina. For around seven years, Raina ably discharged this responsibility. I will try to seek cooperation from all my party leaders, workers, voters, sympathisers and the media so that I can also discharge my responsibility with the same aptness and finesse. BJP has scripted a new history by bagging 29 seats. It has emerged as the party with the highest vote share of 26 percent. For this stupendous feat (achievement), I like to congratulate the whole team.”

“The way the whole party, including Raina, cooperated with me during my previous stint as J&K BJP President and we all worked together during the last seven years to make Raina’s term as successful I believe we all will continue to work as one team, one unit to further the cause of BJP, which is a party with difference. We will work with a renewed vigour, which is required also as the party is playing the main opposition party in J&K Legislative Assembly,” he said.

“Our legislators would work as a strong and constructive opposition. Whenever required, you will see the BJP workers hitting the roads. BJP's only objective is to serve people. Party is fully committed to it,” he reiterated.

Sat Sharma appreciated the tenure of Ravinder Raina, under whose leadership the party scripted a new history. “The party worked as one team under his inspiring leadership. I laud his leadership skills. I’m sure, as J&K BJP President, I’ll continue to get guidance and affection from Raina during my new inning,” he said.

He praised the outgoing President Ravinder Raina for his relentless work in extending the party work to limitless corners of the region. He expressed gratitude for the support and pledged to work tirelessly for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He assured party members that he would focus on strengthening the organization, connecting with youth, and promoting inclusive development across the region.

He said that the BJP had become a mass-based party with an organized network of mature activists.

Earlier he was felicitated at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, upon his arrival to Jammu on Monday after being appointed J&K BJP President.

He was appointed J&K BJP President by BJP President J P Nadda on Sunday. Sat was accorded a warm welcome by the enthusiastic BJP workers at Jammu airport, who then proceeded to the party headquarters in the form of a rally.