SRINAGAR: For the third consecutive time, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jugal Kishore Sharma filed his nomination papers for the Jammu parliamentary constituency, aiming for a third term as Member of Parliament (MP).
Accompanied by BJP’s prominent campaigner and Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Sharma submitted his nomination papers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office (Returning Officer) today, followed by a roadshow towards Shaheedi Chowk.
Sharma completed the filing of his nomination papers around 1 pm before proceeding towards Shaheedi Chowk Jammu in a grand roadshow. At Shaheedi Chowk, the BJP organised a rally where Anurag Thakur addressed the crowd, urging support for Jugal Kishore Sharma.
Speaking to the media, Anurag Thakur highlighted the significant development witnessed across Jammu and Kashmir during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure. He cited achievements such as the establishment of IITs, IIMs, 11 medical colleges, the Vande Bharat train, and the construction of four-lane highways and a six-lane expressway, attributing them to the Modi government’s efforts.
Thakur emphasised the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a substantial decrease in violence levels. He credited Modi’s initiatives for the decline in incidents related to stone-throwing, separatism, and terrorism, stating that terrorist incidents had decreased by 75 percent, local civilian casualties by 81 percent, and security force casualties by 50 percent.
Asserting the role of the BJP government in achieving these milestones, Thakur praised the contributions of MPs Jugal Kishore and Dr Jitendra Singh from JK.
Responding to questions regarding electoral bonds and criticism from the Congress party, Thakur defended BJP’s approach, highlighting the transparency facilitated by electoral bonds. He critiqued the Congress party’s handling of finances during its tenure, suggesting discrepancies in financial accountability.
Regarding the electoral competition, Thakur underscored the BJP’s support for Jugal Kishore Sharma in retaining the Jammu Lok Sabha seat. He highlighted the changes in constituency boundaries post-delimitation, setting the stage for a direct contest between BJP and Congress candidates.
Raman Bhalla, a former minister, is contesting from Congress against Sharma, representing a direct BJP-Congress electoral faceoff for the Jammu seat. (KNO)
