 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to intensify its political offensive against the ruling National Conference (NC) by holding a protest rally in Srinagar on July 20, the same day the Omar Abdullah-led party is scheduled to stage its much-publicised Jantar Mantar protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Party sources said the BJP has, in principle, decided to organise the counter-protest in Srinagar, although the venue and other logistical details are expected to be finalised within a day.
The move comes amid an escalating war of words between the ruling NC and the principal opposition BJP, with both parties sharpening their attacks over governance, statehood, unemployment and alleged irregularities in government appointments. According to party sources, the BJP will use the July 20 rally to launch a sustained campaign against the Omar Abdullah government, accusing it of failing to fulfil its election promises and misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir on key issues. The campaign will primarily focus on unemployment, alleged backdoor appointments and what the BJP describes as the National Conference's "politics of false promises." The party aims to challenge the NC in the Kashmir Valley, its traditional political stronghold.
Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, has been tasked with spearheading the campaign. He recently held meetings with party functionaries and district units in Kashmir to finalise the strategy and is expected to camp in the Valley along with other senior BJP leaders during the campaign.
Party leaders said extensive preparations are underway across Kashmir to mobilise workers and ensure the success of the outreach programme, which is expected to continue through the second half of July.
While the National Conference has been mobilising public support for the restoration of statehood, the BJP plans to counter the narrative by highlighting what it terms the Omar government's failures on governance and employment.
As part of the organisational push, BJP Organisation General Secretary Ashok Kaul is already camping in Kashmir to oversee preparations. Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Sharma is also expected to visit the Valley shortly to accelerate organisational activities and strengthen the party's outreach.
The campaign assumes significance as BJP National President Nitin Naveen has directed the Jammu and Kashmir unit to make concerted efforts to expand the party's organisational base and political support in the Kashmir Valley. |
