Election Boost

In 2013, following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, he addressed the "Lalkar Rally" at Jammu's MA Stadium on December 1, 2013. That rally, attended by over one lakh people, remains the largest-ever political gathering in the history of Jammu and Kashmir till then.

It was credited for the BJP's significant success in the 2014 elections, where they won three Lok Sabha seats, two in Jammu and one in Ladakh, the party's highest-ever tally in J&K. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP again won three seats - Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh.

During the 2013 rally, Modi called for a general discussion on Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and was later revoked by his government on August 5, 2019.

He emphasized the need for experts to discuss the article, stating that it had become a shield and was being used as one, preventing a valid discussion. Modi also questioned why Jammu and Kashmir did not have national institutions of learning like IITs and IIMs, and over ten years later, he will be inaugurating or laying the foundation stone for several national-level educational institutions, including IIM - Jammu.

PM Modi laid foundation  stone and inaugurated over 200 developmental projects worth `30,500 crore, besides delivering virtual job letters to youth and interacting with people across the Union Territory (UT) during his visit. He earlier expressed his anticipation for the event, stating that it would provide a significant boost to all-round development and mark a landmark day for the education sector with the establishment of various institutions.

A similar rally was held by PM Modi at the same venue on December 16, 2014, ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Many observers attribute the BJP's historic win of 25 assembly seats in the Jammu region to Modi's campaign and the rally at MA Stadium. This performance paved the way for the BJP to become part of the alliance government in J&K with the PDP.

The BJP leaders believe that the February 20 rally of the Prime Minister at MA Stadium will set a new precedent in the party's history in the UT for the upcoming elections. Despite inclement weather, the BJP has made extensive arrangements to ensure the rally's success, including top-quality waterproof sheds and seating for over 1 lakh people.

PM Modi's visit, his second to the UT in his second term as PM, is significant not only due to the political fervor ahead of the Lok Sabha polls but also because of the frozen political activities in Jammu and Kashmir since the UT has been under Central rule since June 2018. The rally is seen as an attempt by the BJP to bolster its poll prospects for the upcoming general elections, the first after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and the scheduled assembly elections later.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi address a rally in Jammu, the event carries significant political weight, setting the stage for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The rally marks a crucial move in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) electoral strategy. With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections looming, the party aims to consolidate its position in Jammu and Kashmir, a region where it has seen considerable success in recent years. The rally serves as a platform to energize the party's base, highlight its achievements, and set the tone for the upcoming electoral battle.

Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has undergone significant changes. The BJP's decision to revoke the special status of the erstwhile state has reshaped the narrative, and the rally focused on the developmental agenda in UT post-Article 370. PM Modi's address highlighted the government's efforts to bring peace, stability, and development to J&K.

The rally in Jammu is strategically significant as it aims to consolidate the BJP's stronghold in the region. Jammu has been a traditional bastion of the BJP, and the party's performance in the region has been crucial in its electoral success. The rally is expected to address the aspirations and concerns of the people of Jammu, further cementing the BJP's support base in J&K.

Modi's address to showcase the government's development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. The inauguration of several developmental projects worth crores of rupees underscores the government's commitment to J&Ks progress. The emphasis on development is aimed at winning the confidence of the people and countering any opposition narrative.

The rally was not just about addressing the crowd but also about sending out political messages. PM Modi's speech touched upon national security, economic growth, and social welfare schemes. The messaging will be crafted to resonate with the masses and project the BJP as the party that can deliver on its promises.

PM Modi's rally in Jammu was more than just a political event; it is a strategic move that sets the stage for the BJP's electoral campaign ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The rally will reinforce the party's commitment to UTs development, strengthen its support base, and shape the political narrative in the run-up to the polls. 

(The writer is senior staffer Greater Kashmir)