TDD Correspondent
Srinagar (TDD): Eyeing at least 35 seats from Jammu region alone with a clear mission of forming government in J&K post Assembly polls, BJP’s campaigning has got a big push for sure of late after the back to back visits of big-wigs: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed massive rallies in the region.
To mobilise voters, especially in the Chenab Valley, where BJP was seen as no first choice till recently, Prime Minister Narendera Modi’s first ever visit to Doda today, has obviously given a new direction to BJP’s campaigning. His visit to Doda where thousands of party workers agreed with his speech that Article 370 shouldn’t come back and those given voting rights for the first time should remain untouched. While BJP is gaining ground amid massive poll campaigning, Congress seems to have lost some steam at least.
First Rahul Gandhi, the Congress number one star campaigner and then no prominent face visiting Jammu is what is worrying the party men in the region. Talking to TDD, former J&K Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir said that there is no need to worry as workers’ morale is high. “Rahulji and Malikarjun Kharge have already visited Jammu, you will see Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Jai Ramesh, K C Venugopal in campaigning very shortly,” he said.
Asked isn’t it late that prominent faces of Congress are yet to take part in campaigning as many observers believe party is leaving open ground for BJP in Jammu if not in Kashmir, Mir said: “The leaders who are our star campaigners have huge responsibilities and if they spare time for J&K is a big thing for party.”
J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra told TDD that the party’s campaigning is already on ground and it will get a big push in a day or two as many Congress stalwarts will arrive in Jammu first and then Kashmir. “We have many rallies on cards,” he said, adding that “Rahulji will also arrive again. Besides, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Jai Ram Ramesh are already booked for J&K visit. Apart from them, Ambika Soni, Rajni Patil, Manish Tiwari and Kaniyah Kumar will also take part in Congress campaigning in Jammu.”
Raman Bhalla, the party’s candidate from R S Pura South Jammu, said he is on ground zero already. “It is the candidate who has to reach out to the people and I am doing that. If party leaders like Rahul and Kharge address poll campaigns, that is an added advantage,” he said. Asked doesn’t Congress feel short of prominent faces as BJP seems to be ahead in campaigning, Bhalla, the party is strong on ground and it is the people who have to decide?
It is pertinent to mention that National Conference-Congress have entered into a pre-poll alliance in J&K on all 90 seats. The parties are also contesting friendly on five seats where both NC-Congress candidates feel they are strong– (TDD)
