Electoral itinerary of PM, star campaigners makes J&K BJP leaders buoyant

Jammu, Apr 4:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled electoral rally on April 12 in Udhampur has made the entire J&K BJP rank and file buoyant, anticipating the party's bolstered winning prospects.
Besides him, elaborate itinerary of its star campaigners, including the Union Home Minister Amit Shah; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh; Union Ministers Smriti Irani; Anurag Thakur; Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath; MP Hema Malini; party candidate from Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) Kangana Ranaut, beginning campaigning from next week for Jammu region’s two seats has enthused the party leaders and workers alike.

Smriti, Hema and Kangana are likely to campaign for the party in the second phase.
Udhampur parliamentary seat is going to polls in the first phase on April 19, 2024 to be followed by Jammu LS constituency in the second phase on April 26, 2024.

“Party’s top campaigner and our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji will be in Udhampur on April 12 for campaigning. Tentatively UP Chief Minister Adityanathji will address an electoral rally in Kathua on April 10,” the J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi told Greater Kashmir, while responding to queries about the schedule of the party's star campaigners.

With regard to the schedule of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Jammu on April 9 as quoted in some media reports, Sethi said, “The date and venue of the Union Home Minister Amit Shahji’s likely rally in Jammu are not confirmed yet.”

“As far as Prime Minister Narendra Modiji is concerned, he is the top campaigner of the party. He is the biggest leader - not only of the country but of the world. We have seen in the past also, when he comes, people come in lakhs - to listen to him, to catch a glimpse of him. Figure of one lakh was in the distant past; now a figure between one-and-a-half-lakh to two lakh is anticipated; when he comes.

Not just anticipation, this (figure) is actually a foregone conclusion because last time also when he came, the rally comprised more than 1.5 lakh people. Obviously this time, the number will be more – exceeding the previous figure,” Sethi said, while responding to a query as to how the PM’s rally would enhance the party's electoral prospects.

“Modiji coming in any area will take the campaign to a next level because he leaves a mark which is indelible, given his unmatched oratory skills and awe-inspiring political aura. Obviously that gets reflected in voting patterns also; bolstering the party's winning prospects. So, of course, the Prime Minister’s campaigning makes party leaders and workers buoyant; reinvigorating their spirits and strengthening their commitment to win. Union Home Minister too has his unique mass appeal as a crowd-puller star campaigner for the party,” Sethi elaborated.

“Another significant aspect is Yogiji will be coming for the first time for a campaign in J&K. He is a very big name (in the political-scape). All eyes will be upon him also. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, (Union Minister) Smriti Iraniji too will come for campaigning. Union Minister Anurag Thakur may also come (for campaigning in J&K),” the J&K BJP chief spokesperson said.

When asked if all the star campaigners mentioned in the list submitted to ECI would campaign for the party in J&K, Sethi’s response was, “No, not all star campaigners will come. Out of the list submitted, not all leaders will be coming. But the big names I have mentioned will be available for campaigning in J&K and they will come. We don’t have dates and venues of all as of now but we know they’ll come.

When and where, I’ll confirm when I get an official communication. In any case, that is a long-drawn security drill. Security concerns are intrinsic to their visits. So details are not revealed to everybody very soon. So far, the Prime Minister will come for campaigning in Udhampur parliamentary constituency and Union Home Minister may be in Jammu parliamentary constituency.

There’s nothing confirmed about (campaigning) for Kashmir, including Rajouri-Anantnag parliamentary constituency so far. There’s no confirmation as of now.”

Regarding the nomination of party candidates for three seats of Kashmir, including Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, Sethi said, “Decision on this account will be taken shortly by the Parliamentary Board of the party.”

Udhampur and Jammu district administration officials, when contacted by Greater Kashmir, stated that they had not “received any official communication as of now about the scheduled date and venues of rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”

Meanwhile, the party’s political opponent Congress is still busy finalising the campaigning schedule of its star campaigners. “Schedule has not been finalised yet. However, their campaigning streak may start after April 12 or 13. Priyanka Gandhi may initiate campaigning from Udhampur parliamentary constituency (after April 12 or 13). Later, she is likely to address rallies in Jammu also. Exact schedule is under process,” party sources maintained.