SRINAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) point-man Ram Madhav arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday after spending some time in Jammu, where he addressed the concerns of disgruntled party members who were unhappy with the distribution of mandates.
Receiving a warm welcome in Srinagar, Madhav congratulated the BJP’s candidate for the politically significant Assembly seat of Lal Chowk, Er Aijaz Hussain. A video of Er Aijaz greeting Madhav in Srinagar has gone viral on social media.
Madhav’s arrival in Kashmir coincides with National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah’s controversial statement suggesting that Madhav has connections with the PDP and may still be in touch with the party. Adding to the controversy, senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, who left the NC three years ago, claimed that in 2014, an NC delegation led by Omar Abdullah approached Delhi seeking an alliance with the BJP, even suggesting that the NC was open to having a Hindu Chief Minister in JK.
Madhav has been recalled by the BJP high command for a ‘Mission JK’ ahead of the crucial Assembly polls, which begin on September 18 and will occur in three phases. Madhav was instrumental in the 2014 PDP-BJP alliance negotiations and was known as the BJP’s expert on J&K affairs. Although he was removed from his position as General Secretary in 2020, he has been given another significant role in JK.
A senior BJP leader, familiar with Madhav’s mission, told news agency KNO that Madhav has been assigned a critical task. “His job is to ensure the BJP’s slogan of ‘ab ki baar 50 paar’ is achieved,” he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “He has a plan from the party high command which he is diligently following.”
In Jammu, Madhav played a crucial role in maintaining party unity amidst growing tensions over mandate distribution. Resentment within the BJP was evident as senior figures Chander Mohan and Kashmira Singh resigned, and other leaders were dissatisfied with the ticket distribution. Madhav is said to have been pivotal in calming tensions and keeping the party together, even as some leaders chose to run as independents.
Now in Kashmir, party leaders believe Madhav will instruct the party cadre on how to achieve the target of a minimum of 50 seats in the upcoming elections. The BJP is contesting all 90 seats, including seven reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
“There is no open alliance by the party this time around, but…,” another BJP leader, contesting a seat in Kashmir said. “Madhav will meet some people outside the BJP as he has many friends in Kashmir.”
Party sources indicate that Madhav may participate in one or two rallies with Er Aijaz in the coming days while fulfilling his assignment from the BJP high command. “He will be here for a few days for sure. There is a meeting with like-minded people scheduled as well,” said a source familiar with Madhav’s itinerary, adding that the mission is to ensure the BJP maximises its gains in the upcoming polls to position itself for government formation. “Madhav certainly has a plan and instructions from the high command.” —(KNO)
