SRINAGAR: A top BJP leader has said the recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir have established the BJP as a strong party, with Jammu voting en masse for the lotus. He, however, believes the region is under-represented in the Omar Abdullah-led government.
In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Ram Madhav, BJP’s in-charge for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, hailed the party’s performance as a major success in the Jammu region, where it emerged as the second-largest party, securing 29 seats with a 26 per cent vote share—its highest ever in the region.
Although the National Conference (NC) and its allies, including Congress and CPI(M), took a majority with 42 seats, Madhav viewed the results as a testament to the BJP’s growing influence post-abrogation of Article 370. “The BJP’s strength was evident, especially in Jammu. Although NC formed the government, it does not fully represent Jammu and Kashmir, as Jammu is underrepresented,” he remarked.
In Kashmir, despite the NC’s stronghold, Madhav pointed out that the BJP made notable inroads. “In Gurez, our candidate came very close to victory, and in South Kashmir, considered a stronghold of hardliners, one of our candidates secured over 7,000 votes,” he told the newspaper, asserting that “the BJP is not a pariah in Kashmir Valley.” However, he expressed disappointment that the newly-formed government is “missing Jammu’s core representation” and called for a more balanced representation between Jammu and Kashmir.
Madhav emphasised the shift in Kashmir’s political landscape, noting that “Kashmir, as far as politics and elections are concerned, is now like any other state in our country.” He said that this election conveyed a key message: if the Central government presents changes as administrative measures aimed at improving governance, “people will cooperate.” He warned that imposing “humiliation or patriotism tests” on Kashmiris would backfire, highlighting the importance of approaching governance sensitively.
“The biggest message for the political class is that people in Kashmir want whatever you are doing to be presented as a part of the administrative process,” Madhav told the newspaper. “If you subject us (Kashmiris) to any humiliation or patriotism test, we will react differently. But if you offer changes as administrative necessity for the good of the people in the state, we will cooperate – this is the message.”
Looking to the future, Madhav reiterated the BJP’s commitment to statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, albeit in a “new form” due to Ladakh’s separation. He explained that the “new state” would be structured based on discussions and decisions in Parliament, emphasising that the commitment to statehood “will be fulfilled.” Madhav also acknowledged the need to address economic challenges, with a focus on industrialisation, employment, and reducing the Union Territory’s reliance on central funding.
With these recent gains, the BJP aims to strengthen its base in Jammu while continuing to grow its influence in the Valley. “We are now the largest Opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir, and our voice is strong,” Madhav affirmed, underscoring that the BJP’s strategy will continue to focus on equitable representation across the region.
