bjp-mounts-campaign-against-opposition-in-anantnag-despite-absence-from-polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not fielded any candidates for the three Kashmir LS seats, although party officials say its leaders have started campaigning for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat against the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region.

Party senior leadership is meeting the voters from different parts of the constituency. While other regional parties are busy campaigning in north Kashmir’s Baramulla LS constituency, the BJP is campaigning in Anantnag and Rajouri segments.

Senior BJP party officials, including UT chairman Ravinder Raina, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, and J&K general secretary Vibodh Gupta, have been visiting the areas of the Anantnag LS seat and meeting residents.

Many meetings and discussions have occurred, with saffron party officials engaging with local Gujjar and Pahari leaders.

While the BJP leaders have not publicly announced their support for anybody, it is reported that they have advised their supporters to back Apni Party candidate Zafar Iqbal Manhas in private meetings.

The opposition NC, PDP, and Congress have long accused the Apni Party, led by Altaf Bukhari, of being a BJP B-team. The People's Conference, led by Sajad Lone, has also been referred to as a saffron party supporter.

Tarun Chugh and Sajad Lone visited Altaf Bukhari's house in Srinagar last month, following which the latter expressed support for Lone, who is running in the Baramulla constituency against former Chief Minister and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah.

Tarun Chugh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has won the hearts of people in Jammu and Kashmir through the 'Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishvas' strategy.

Chugh added, "There was a premeditated effort by the Abdullahs and Muftis to violate the confidence of the people of J&K. Their objective has always been to instil fear among the population to obtain petty political power."

While BJP officials urge voters not to vote for the NC or PDP, they do not explicitly request that they vote for any other party.