Ram Madhav to address public meetings in Gurez, Karnah today

Srinagar, Sep 24: Senior RSS functionary and former BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav will address public meetings in the border constituencies of Gurez in Bandipora district and Karnah in Kupwara district tomorrow

The BJP candidate for Karnah constituency is Idrees Karanahi while Faqeer Muhammad Khan is BJP candidate Gurez constituency. These constituencies, known for their strategic significance and diverse population of Gujjars and Paharis, are considered crucial in the BJP's efforts to expand its political foothold in valley.

With Gurez and Karnah sharing borders with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), both areas have long been considered sensitive in terms of defense and national security. The BJP has been aggressively campaigning across the union territory, with leaders like Ram Madhav playing a key role in rallying support in sensitive areas. Gurez and Karnah, given their proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), are of particular interest to the BJP's election strategists, who see a victory here as not only a political gain but also a message of strength to the border communities.

The BJP has been pushing its development narrative, promising improved infrastructure, better connectivity, and security for these remote areas. In both constituencies, the Gujjar and Pahari communities hold sway, and the BJP has been making concerted efforts to appeal to these groups by focusing on promises of economic upliftment and political representation.

Ram Madhav’s visit is seen part of the BJP’s strategy to consolidate support among these communities. His speech is expected to emphasize the BJP’s commitment to the welfare of Gujjars and Paharis, highlighting recent government initiatives such as reservation benefits and special financial packages for the border areas.

Gurez and Karnah, traditionally seen as strongholds of regional parties like the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now Peoples Conference (PC), have gained increasing attention from the BJP in recent years.

The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has altered the political landscape, giving the BJP a chance to strengthen its base by appealing to voters with a nationalistic message and promises of development.

These constituencies also play a pivotal role due to their geographical isolation and lack of development, which has led to voter discontent with previous governments. The BJP, in its outreach, has positioned itself as the party capable of bringing lasting development, citing infrastructure projects like roads, healthcare, and education initiatives that have been underway in valley, in particular these areas.

Full text on greaterkashmir.com

The Gujjar and Pahari communities form a significant portion of the electorate in Gurez and Karnah. Both groups have distinct cultural identities but share common concerns related to underdevelopment, unemployment, and lack of political representation.

Ram Madhav is likely to emphasise how the BJP’s policies have benefited these marginalized groups, including the introduction of reservation quotas and scholarships for students.

Madhav’s visit comes at a time when the BJP is attempting to broaden its appeal in Jammu and Kashmir by aligning itself with diverse ethnic groups. By addressing the concerns of the Gujjar and Pahari communities, the party aims to weaken the traditional dominance of regional parties and present itself as the new champion of the border areas.