Ram Madhav predicts saffron surge in J&K

Srinagar, Sep 15: Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Ram Madhav Sunday termed the J&K Assembly elections as “historic” and predicted that the saffron party would achieve an unprecedented success.

Addressing party leaders here Sunday, Madhav asserted that the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls will be a pivotal moment for the BJP.

He said the history of the saffron party would be written in this election, and that this was their mission.

Madhav arrived on a two-day visit to Kashmir on Sunday and is scheduled to visit Shopian on Monday.

Addressing the importance of the rally, he called it a “new phase” in the history of J&K.

Madhav highlighted the critical nature of the J&K Assembly elections, positioning them as a defining moment for both J&K and the BJP.

“This is going to be a historic election,” Madhav told the audience. “The history of BJP will also be written in this election. This is our mission.”

His address comes at a crucial time for the BJP, as it seeks to expand its influence in Kashmir, an area where it has historically struggled.

The party’s upcoming campaign, anchored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally, is aimed at further strengthening the BJP’s foothold in Kashmir, particularly as it positions itself as a party that represents the aspirations of the people of J&K.

Madhav said that the rally was set to be a major event in the political landscape of J&K, marking a pivotal moment for the BJP as it aims to break long-standing political barriers in Kashmir.

He reflected on the BJP’s early challenges in J&K, particularly in Kashmir, which has traditionally been resistant to the party’s influence.

Madhav recalled the perception of the BJP as an “outsider” or a “Delhi party” when the party first made serious political inroads into J&K in 2014.

“We used to think that the people of Kashmir would not accept the BJP,” Madhav said. “But we broke that myth in 2015, and today, we are not outsiders. We are the owners of J&K, and we have been part of its government.”

The BJP’s rise to power in J&K, particularly through its alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 2015 to 2018, marked a significant shift in J&K’s political dynamics. However, the alliance ended in 2018, with the BJP withdrawing support from the coalition. Since then, the party has focused on consolidating its influence, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended J&K’s special constitutional status.

Madhav acknowledged the contentious nature of Article 370 but said that the people of J&K had moved on from the issue. “I will not even talk about the issue of Article 370 because it has become history,” he said.

According to Madhav, the abrogation has led to significant development in J&K, with improvements in infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals.

He said that life in Kashmir had improved in the 5 years since the removal of Article 370. Citing a recent interview with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the senior RSS functionary said that if a secret ballot were held, 75 percent of people in Kashmir would prefer life after the abrogation of Article 370.

“Development is happening,” Madhav said. “People are seeing the positive changes. Roads are being built, schools are functioning better, and hospitals are improving.”

He was candid about the challenges that still lie ahead.

Madhav pointed out that even with significant development, electoral success was never guaranteed.

“You can win or you can lose. Winning or losing is part of politics,” he said.

Madhav compared the situation to that of political leaders like N T Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, both of whom lost elections despite their strong records of development. However, he expressed confidence that the BJP has garnered significant support in J&K.

“People love us today,” Madhav said, urging the party workers to maintain their focus and determination as they head into the elections.

As the Assembly elections approach, the BJP faces a complex political landscape. The abrogation of Article 370, while celebrated by many in the party, remains a point of contention among various political groups in Kashmir.

The NC, led by Omar Abdullah, and the People’s Democratic Party, headed by Mehbooba Mufti, are expected to mount strong challenges to the BJP in the elections.