The BJP has decided to set aside contentious issues such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and is instead quietly focusing on registration of lakhs of Kashmiri migrants as voters to bolster its chances in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley in the upcoming elections.
In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP performed well in the Ladakh and Jammu regions but could not get a single seat in the Valley.
With “anti-corruption and development” as its agenda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its mascot, the BJP now hopes to form a “nationalist” coalition government in the State. The party’s strategy is not to raise divisive issues and instead play upon the “anti-incumbency” factor and the “dynastic” rule of the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party.
It is a key strategy of the party to facilitate enrolment of eligible Kashmiri Pandits who were forced out of the Valley. Nearly three lakh Kashmiris from Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora and Kupwara had fled the State. It is felt that if the voting percentage in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley remains low — as is the apprehension — then the Kashmiri Pandit turnout may shore up BJP’s chances.
While keeping separatists at arm’s length, the party’s strategy is to welcome those who want to join the party or forge post-poll understanding with independents and small parties. Before the floods devastated the Valley, party general secretary J.P. Nadda had met the moderate People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone who had contested the 2008 Assembly poll and has considerable influence over five seats in North Kashmir.
“We are in touch with like-minded people, nationalist forces who want to fight corruption, bring about development and want to mainstream Kashmiris through employment and gainful economic activity,” Mr. Nadda told The Hindu .
In the 2008 Assembly elections, the National Conference won 28 of the 87 seats, followed by PDP (21), Congress (17) and BJP (11). But the party is encouraged by the fact that in the recent Lok Sabha poll, it had won three of the six seats in Ladakh, Jammu and Udhampur.
The Centre’s handling of the floods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s generous financial assistance and his repeated visits to the State have had an impact on the people.
