10 october 2024 : In an interview with HT, BJP leader Ram Madhav, who played a key role in the party’s campaign in Jammu & Kashmir, discussed the party’s prospects and the political dynamics in the region. He stated that the National Conference (NC) was using the abrogation of Article 370 to stoke sentiments against the BJP, but emphasized that there was growing support for the BJP’s politics, even in the Valley. Madhav highlighted that in certain constituencies, the BJP had gained significant traction, with crowds of 3,000-3,500 people attending rallies, showing openness to the party’s message.
Madhav acknowledged that the BJP had not won as many seats in the Pahadi and Gujar-dominated regions but said the party’s commitment to providing reservations was not an electoral strategy, but a genuine effort to uplift these communities. He noted that while the BJP emerged as the largest party in terms of vote share, it still faced challenges in forming a government in Jammu due to the complex regional dynamics.
On the issue of Article 370, Madhav argued that there was no real support for it in the Valley and that the NC had used the topic to rally their base, later shifting focus to statehood. He reiterated that the BJP would work with other parties and Parliament to restore statehood when the time was right.
Addressing the participation of previously separatist groups in the elections, Madhav viewed it as a sign of their increasing integration into mainstream politics, a process he credited to Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
While reflecting on the BJP’s performance, he acknowledged the challenge of expanding the party’s reach beyond Jammu and into areas like Poonch and Rajouri, where its influence needs to grow. Madhav also responded to speculation about the BJP’s ties with smaller parties, suggesting that the electorate’s increasing polarization was benefiting the larger parties.
Looking ahead, Madhav shared his disappointment over the NC-Congress alliance securing enough support to form a government, but expressed confidence in the BJP’s future expansion, especially in Kashmir. He also addressed rumors about tensions between the RSS and BJP, dismissing them as baseless.