Lal Singh’s show of strength creates stir

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News service

Jammu, September 23

The overwhelming response to Lal Singh’s Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan rally on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary on Sunday is likely to hit the BJP’s political plans for the upcoming urban local body elections.

Already under pressure for having distributed poll tickets to the next of kin in the party, the BJP has been receiving backlash from its own activists, workers and leaders, with some even threatening self-immolation. The turnout in Lal Singh’ rally has given the BJP a strong reason to introspect about its performance in the forthcoming elections as the mood among people on the ground is quite contrary to the party’s thinking.

“We have been duped by the BJP,” said Pradeep Sharma, a participant in the rally.

A senior BJP leader said there was already huge resentment in the party cadre and Lal Singh’s rally had made the situation even worse. “The party appeased leaders who were not accommodated on government positions and tickets were distributed to their kin. This has generated a furore in the party which is likely to impact its performance,” the leader said.

Dismissing the allegation, former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta said neither Lal Singh’s rally nor the immolation threats would affect the poll results. “The party is an organisation. We have distributed tickets in all 75 wards. There is all likelihood of some resentment from some wards which is a common phenomenon. The party will sweep the polls,” he said.

BJP state president Ravinder Raina wasn’t available for a comment.