PM Modi’s likely Kashmir visit creates political buzz 

Jammu, Feb 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to Kashmir next month, probably on March 7, has stirred buzz across the political-scape of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officially speaking, the itinerary of his visit has yet to be confirmed however the reports quoting official and party sources suggested that he would arrive on a day-long visit to Kashmir on March 7.

Amid this buzz, when media persons tried to seek confirmation of the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit from the BJP national general secretary and in-charge J&K Tarun Chugh, he preferred to leave behind a veil of secrecy – neither confirming nor denying, with a concise reply. “Information about the Prime Minister’s visit will be shared officially very soon,” he said.

But the party leaders, for the better part of the day, remained huddled deliberating on issues, which were described as “preparations for polls and related aspects.”

In any case, this visit, if takes place as per the schedule in circulation (March 7), will be his first visit to Kashmir, following the abrogation of Article 370 and just ahead of the likely two-day visit of the poll panel to J&K on March 12 and 13. This itself explains the intensity of (political) vibrations, it (PM’s visit) is likely to create.

“His visit would remain restricted to an official function, likely to be held at SKICC or Sher-e-Kashmir stadium, depending upon the mood swings of capricious weather. It will be almost a replica of his previous recent engagement in J&K i.e., February 20 function at M A Stadium where he unleashed a development bonanza by inaugurating and laying foundation of ambitious projects worth thousands of crores; interacted with beneficiaries of welfare schemes under Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra; distributed recruitment letters and addressed a massive rally,” officials hinted.

This hint was with a caution, “See, officially, things are still maturing. But mind it, high-profiled visits always have an element of uncertainty with a high probability of last-minute changes to accommodate the emerging scenarios.”

In the absence of official confirmation, speculations remained rife about the schedule also besides dates. One of the reports has mentioned that PM’s itinerary may include his meeting with “achievers, innovators and sportspersons and the DDC members, chairpersons and MPs representing Kashmir division too may be among invitees in the function.”

A political analyst, while talking about the significance of PM’s visit, discusses the impact of his massive rally at M A Stadium, Jammu on February 20.

“The success of the rally has made the party hopeful of bagging at least 40 seats from Jammu region. It is very sure that its (invisible) allies too will not disappoint it in Kashmir region. They will contribute seats to the extent that the party is able to form a government, if not on its own, at least with the support of friendly parties,” he points out. “It is in this background that the party wants to retain the momentum in Kashmir as well. Earlier inputs emanating from the party had suggested that the Prime Minister would address a rally in Anantnag during his visit in the first or second week of March. Now it is to be seen that he will address this rally during this visit i.e., on March 7 before the imposition of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or this will happen as a part of campaigning after the announcement of polls. As per the party leaders, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to address a rally at Ganderbal next month. One will have to analyse these developments, visits and their significance in the light of possibility of simultaneous assembly and parliamentary elections in J&K,” he tries to solve political conundrum a bit.