BJP to carry on with ‘Mission Kashmir’

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 24

The BJP is planning to continue with its “Mission Kashmir” despite failing to win any seat in the Valley. The party said it would continue to connect with the grassroots across Kashmir and was looking to strengthen its base.

“We received an unprecedented response and have succeeded in building a strong party base in Kashmir. All our candidates were new but still they put up a good show,” said BJP state vice-president and in charge of Kashmir affairs Ramesh Arora.

He was referring to the increase in vote share of the Valley-based BJP candidates given that the BJP was previously considered untouchable in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir.

He said the party had achieved many ‘breakthroughs’ in the Valley such as holding a series of rallies especially in downtown Srinagar, something which was unimaginable some time back.

To gain more acceptability, Arora said the BJP would now focus towards resolving the day-to-day problems that would bring them closer to the locals.

BJP media in charge Altaf Thakur said the party was looking for long-term gains and it would emerge as a major political force in the Valley in the coming years.

“We may not have won a seat (in Kashmir) but we received thousands of votes and gained acceptance. Those parties which were previously engaged in launching propaganda against us now want to form an alliance with us. This is our victory and there is no reason why we should not emerge as a force to reckon with in Kashmir in the coming years,” he said.

Thakur said some of their candidates remained second runners-up in constituencies where the party would just receive a few votes in the past. “This proves that we have built a strong base and are here for the long run,” he said.