BJP will go it alone on all 87 seats for Kashmir polls

Reiterating its stand that the BJP will fight on all 87 Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir alone, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said, "We want forces and youth to emerge as a front, so that National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) are wiped out from the political turf of the state."

Madhav was in Srinagar after taking part in the core committee meeting on Jammu and Kashmir at the party's headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by BJP national working president JP Nadda and also attended by BJP J&K unit president Ravinder Raina.

At the meeting, a common consensus was taken that J&K Assembly polls should be demanded in October and a presentation to that effect will also be made to the Election Commission. The meeting also discussed the strategy for the polls, election campaigning and ways to strengthen booth level preparedness.

Meanwhile, not committing to anything on the question surrounding abrogation of Article 35A that gives J&K a special status, Madhav said that though the BJP has a clear stand on it, a decision will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an appropriate time. "The decision will be taken by the PM and his government, but I can assure you that whatever decision they will take, will be in the interest of the state," Madhav said.

Madhav, who has been working in J&K since the last term of Modi government, claimed that the Centre's drive against corruption in the state has left political parties especially NC and PDP frustrated, which is why they are creating war hysteria despite the EC's decision to hold elections this very year.

He also accused state's political parties for creating an atmosphere of fear in the Valley by linking the movement of central armed paramilitary forces with other issues.

"Leaders of local regional parties are creating fear psychosis for their political interests. Moving forces in and out of Kashmir as per the requirement of the security grid is an ongoing process. Extra forces are brought in for Amarnath Yatra or elections. But these parties are linking the movement of forces with other issues for personal interests," he said.

Zee Media Newsroom