Srinagar September 05 (KNS): Elections for J&K’s regional assembly have been a talk of the town since August 05, 2019 besides return of statehood to J&K which was committed by Union Home Minister from the floors of Parliament. Though both issues are yet to be addressed by the Government of India, there were multiple issues related to ongoing political scenario on which BJP’s National General Secretary and In-Charge J&K, Tarun Chugh spoke to with Editor-in-Chief KNS Mohammad Aslam Bhat. Here are the excerpts of the interview
Elections for regional assembly and statehood are yet uncertain. Does it mean BJP is running away from the situation?
Assembly elections will be conducted at an appropriate time. This is not in the domain of BJP rather there is an Elections Commission of India (ECI) like prestigious institution who has to take a call after getting inputs from each and every quarter. There is a role of every institution in a democracy. A Sarpanch cannot decide the role of Police and vice-versa. Everyone has its own role to play. I hope assembly elections will be held soon and BJP is fully ready even at this juncture. I would like to say those talking like adverse or alleging BJP for influencing ECI or others are simply creating chaos in public. It is BJP who held DDC polls two years ago in which 11 lac Kashmiri’s casted their votes. From every district at least 1 lac people took part in DDC like democratic exercise. I must say that Gupkar Alliance have been rejected by people of J&K collectively. People are well aware that three dynastic political families – Abdullah’s, Mufti’s and Gandhi-Nehru – plundered resources of J&K. Now people hate them and don’t want these three families back to the power. That is why these three families are making hue and cry over assembly elections. Panchayat elections, DDC and BDC polls are held in recent years. Now electoral rolls will come out soon. I assure people that nobody is going to stop conduct of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Should we be afraid of those whose three generations looted resources of J&K and snatched rights of its people? They uplifted and strengthened only their own families. Go and ask National Conference (NC) is it mandatory that CM of J&K should be only from their family. Is there no worker in the party capable to become chief minister? Is it necessary CM of J&K should be born in Abdullah family only? Similarly PDP also have opened Shafa-Khana to run their politics. So people have rejected them null and void. Further I reiterate that Home Minister of India have many times said that statehood to J&K will be returned back at an appropriate time. So wait and watch, things will be done in a gradual manner.
Recently you were in Kargil. What did you observe there?
I completed my Kargil visit recently. There were Hill Council elections about to hold. BJP is taking part in the polls first time there and is hopeful the party will win hearts of people there. Kargil and Leh were demanding UT Status from last six decades but no regional party took their concern seriously. Only BJP fulfilled their wish on August 05, 2019. Since then Ladakh has seen a new dawn of development and people are very much happy with our decision.
Recently INDIA Bloc has been formed to stop BJP in the country. NC and PDP are also part of the amalgam. How do you see it?
This will not impact J&K politics. NC and PDP like parties had also formed Gupkar Alliance in recent past which however has been rejected by J&K people. Such alliances are nothing but only an effort to continue the dynastic politics in respective areas. Ask Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who are part of INDIA Bloc, what for they did unity with Shiv Sena. Do they clear their designs in public what is the purpose behind agreement with Shiv Sena. In past they were mocking Rahul Gandhi but today they came together for a hidden agenda. Does Nitish Kumar can ensure a single vote for Dr. Farooq Abdullah or Mehbooba Mufti due to this Gatbandhan in J&K. Ask NC and PDP who ruled J&K seven decades why they failed to ensure development in J&K in their times. Even Leh and Ladakh remained out of bounds for half a year owing to weather vagaries but BJP opened doors of development and constructed several tunnels in the region to connect people with each other without any inconvenience.
On August 05, 2019 BJP downgraded J&K into two UT’s. Do you feel people are unhappy with the move?
J&K people are one and with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vikas and Vishwas. Regional parties like NC and PDP placed stones, AK47 and hand grenades in the hands of youth but BJP provided pens and laptops to them. Who was CM when Kashmir was burning in 1989? Who were at helm when Kashmiri roads were drenched with innocent’s blood? Who released terrorists in lieu of a daughter of well-known minister? They are just befooling masses for remaining in power. They sing songs of Pakistan and China today. Rather they should sing songs of India, J&K’s development and fight against poverty. They nurtured corruption and nepotism in their regime. Now people of Jammu and Kashmir have out rightly rejected them. People don’t want to listen the names of Pakistan and China. Post-abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) people of J&K came to know the developmental vision of India. We promoted tourism and curbed terrorism. They created stone throwers but we provided engineers. We established AIIMS, IITs, augmented road infrastructure. They gave space to strikes and hartals but we established peace.
J&K is under Lieutenant Governor’s rule since abrogation of Article 370. Don’t you realize there is a need for elected government?
Lieutenant Governor’s rule is good going in J&K, but I also feel there should an elected government. BJP is not against the elected government in J&K. Our record is clear. We held Panchayat, DDC and BDC polls in recent past and wishes that assembly elections should be held in J&K without any delay but it will happen at an appropriate time. LG’s rule has proved much beneficial for the people of J&K. People took part hugely in G20 meetings, Tiranga Yatra and other formal events. J&K is known today a Tourism National Hub. Self Help Working Groups are expanding across J&K. Youth is coming forward to prove their mettle. In past J&K was ignored by regional political parties and they were concerned only for expanding their estates in and outside J&K. Let you observe developmental things happened outside J&K. They reached a top but J&K was ignored badly. Why? These regional political parties should be made accountable for this. They should give answers of their misconduct. Today they have flagged up new issue that New Delhi should talk with Pakistan and China, which seems ridiculous on their part.
Is Azad a proxy of BJP?
Ghulam Nabi Azad is a senior politician. If Congress didn’t respect Azad sahib why BJP should be blamed for this? He has given a huge time in Indian politics and that is why he has been appointed as a member of a high-level committee constituted by the Government of India to examine the issue of simultaneous elections. Today entire country supports BJP due to our pro-people approach and policies. If you will go to any village in the country, you will find our sympathizers. During Kargil visit, I found an 80-year old lady who was naïve to politics but was a die-hard support of PM Narendra Modi. She said Modi gave me ration, gas and other facilities which I never received throughout my life. I am saying to you Modi is Masiha of Poor. BJP want massive reformation in the country. Let we work together and bring change in the country with people of all walks of life taking on board.
Recently difference arose in J&K BJP unit. What was the reason behind?
BJP is a democratic party and believes in democracy. There is no space for nepotism and dynastic politics. There was no grudge between the members. We all are like a family. The party is like a mother for us and we all are united for the larger cause of the nation.(KNS)