 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 27: It is first time in the history of J&K that slogans in favour of the BJP were raised in a mosque of district Pulwama in Kashmir where residents of Wakherwan village stood against their local MLA and administration.
Sources told Early Times that a meeting was held Friday by BJP leaders of Kashmir under the leadership of BJP MLC Sofi Yusuf and Shabir Ahamd Bhat, BJP constituency leader for Pulwama, with residents of Wakherwan, which is a Shia populated village comprising 800 souls, and listened to their problems.
"During the meeting, the residents alleged that the local PDP MLA Mohammad Khalil Band had discriminated against them by singling out their village from giving backward status deliberately while adjoining areas have been given this status which clearly shows their hate against them," they said.
They said the Shia populace has been neglected every time by the local leaders as well as by local administration.
Expressing their anger, the residents along with BJP leaders raised slogans in favour of BJP in the mosque, which is a sign that the PDP is losing its ground in Kashmir, particularly in the south, and BJP is entering in every section of society in Kashmir region for its pro-development agenda, sources informed.
BJP MLC Sofi Yusuf, who interacted with them telephonically assured that BJP is committed to the development of all sections of society and believes in the slogan of "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas" particularly the upliftment of the deprived areas and announced Rs 3 lakh financial assistance on the spot for the development of mosque, which was wholeheartedly appreciated by the residents of Wakherwan.
Interestingly, the venue of meeting was just 1 km away from residence of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo and local MLA Khalil Band also lives in the nearby area. Also, the incumbent DDC Pulwama GA Dhar is also from Pulwama.
It is pertinent to mention the Shia village, being pro-India, has been neglected by the local leaders. Moreover, the local BJP leaders have resisted against the anti-Indian forces in Kashmir, which is obvious from the fact that local BJP leader Shabir Ahmad Bhat had slapped MLA Langate Er Rashid for insulting PM Modi in 2015. |
