NEW DELHI: Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir election, G. Kishan Reddy, spoke to The Sunday Guardian.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is confident of winning the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections that are scheduled to be held in three phases on 18 September, 25 September, and 1 October 2024.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir election, G. Kishan Reddy, spoke on the party’s preparations in a state where Assembly elections are happening for the first time after Article 370 was abrogated.
Q: After a decade, election is scheduled in J&K. What challenges does this present, and how is this election different from previous ones?
A: Contrary to the narrative of elections being held after a decade, two key elections have taken place since the abrogation of Article 370: the Lok Sabha elections and the District Development Councils (DDC) elections. In the DDC elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 75 wins.
This upcoming election is not merely a democratic exercise but a crucial movement led by the BJP to safeguard the people of Jammu & Kashmir from the return of family-ruled political parties that seek to reinstate Article 370 and perpetuate an unjust regime. Our fight is to protect the crown of India from those who would destabilise it through terrorism and corruption. This election is about preserving the region’s rightful place in the nation’s democratic and progressive framework, ensuring peace, stability, and justice for all.
Over the past five years, the region has undergone transformative developments, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370. This move has politically, economically, socially, and emotionally integrated Jammu & Kashmir more closely with the rest of the nation. Laws such as the Recognition of Forest Rights Act, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, the Prevention of Atrocities Against SCs and STs, and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act have brought substantial benefits to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, farmers, women, government employees, and other historically marginalised communities, who have witnessed improvements in their socio-economic conditions.
One of the most significant outcomes of these changes was the record voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, marking the highest participation in 35 years. This reflects a growing engagement with the democratic process, and similar levels of voter involvement are anticipated for the upcoming state elections. These state elections are the first Assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370, introducing distinct dynamics. Family-run political parties in the region, with active backing from the Congress Party, are seeking to undo the progress achieved over the past five years. The BJP, which has led these changes, faces a challenge as these regional parties and the Congress promise to restore Article 370, revealing their readiness to prioritise their brand of appeasement politics. With support from both the local population and the nation, the BJP is committed to countering what it views as appeasement and anti-Hindu sentiment from these rival parties.
Q: What is the BJP’s roadmap for the J&K election?
A: The BJP’s roadmap for the Jammu and Kashmir elections centres on holistic development, rooted in the Modi mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” alongside the principles of “elimination of terrorism, zero tolerance towards corruption, and ending the politics of family first.” The party aims to boost economic growth by attracting investments, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting key sectors like agriculture and tourism. Prioritising good governance, the BJP seeks to advance healthcare and education, eliminate corruption, and ensure transparency.
The roadmap also focuses on enhancing security, empowering local bodies, uplifting marginalised communities, and actively engaging the youth to create a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP is firmly committed to delivering justice to the historically disadvantaged Jammu region. Our party’s Sankalp Patra (Manifesto) is being drafted to address the long-standing discrimination by the Kashmir Valley-centric family parties. It will ensure that Jammu receives its fair share, addressing old grievances and promoting balanced development throughout the Union Territory.
Q: What are your thoughts on Jamaat-e-Islami announcing they will contest the Assembly elections?
A: Jamaat-e-Islami is not a political party and was banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2019 for 5 years, and the ban was further extended till 2029. The law will take its course if the organisation chooses to contest these elections.
Q: Since the abrogation of Article 370, J&K seems to be doing well, and terror incidents have decreased. How do you view this development?
A: Since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed remarkable progress in both security and development. The BJP’s move has led to a significant decrease in terror incidents, bolstered by a stronger legal framework and effective counterterrorism efforts. Post-2019, terrorism has decreased significantly, with no stone-pelting or organised hartlas recorded since 2022. The region now benefits from the application of 890 Central laws, with 205 outdated state laws repealed and 130 modified. More than 60 lakh domicile certificates have been issued so far to categories discriminated against for decades, and this includes West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, Gorkhas, displaced persons, Safai Karamcharis, and children of women married outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister’s Development Package, worth around Rs 60,000 crore, has transformed Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructure, with over 50 major projects in sectors like roads, power, education, and healthcare. The Rs 5,000 crore Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) has boosted J&K’s agricultural sector, placing it third in monthly agricultural household income. Over Rs 3,000 crore has been directly credited to farmers under the PM Kisan scheme. Tourism has surged with 2.11 crore visitors in 2023, generating Rs 100 crore from Gulmarg gondola rides alone. Education has advanced with 51 new degree colleges, and employment opportunities have expanded with around 40,000 selections since 2019 and 90,000 beneficiaries trained under the PM Vishwakarma Yojna.
Since the abrogation of Article 370, infrastructure development has seen a significant boost. Notable achievements include the completion of the 8.45 km Qazigund-Banihal tunnel at a cost of Rs 3,132 crore, as well as AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu. Key ongoing projects include the 135 km Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Rs 11,000 crore), the 197 km Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road with four tunnels (Rs 4,400 crore), the 6.4 km Z-Morh tunnel (Rs 2,379 crore), and the 13.15 km Zojila tunnel (Rs 4,509 crore).
The 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, worth Rs 41,000 crore, will connect Kashmir by train this year, featuring iconic structures like the Chenab Bridge and the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge. These infrastructure advancements in connectivity and healthcare reflect Jammu and Kashmir’s progress toward sustainable development and a better quality of life. Improved security and ongoing projects have fostered a sense of normalcy and optimism, highlighting the effectiveness of our policies and paving the way for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Q: Is the BJP open to alliance with the NC or PDP as it did earlier, or is that option not on the table anymore?
A: Given the evolving political landscape and our focused efforts on building a robust base in Jammu and Kashmir, prioritising development, governance, and national integration, an alliance with the National Conference (NC) or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is off the table. Their manifestos reflect a status quo that is fundamentally at odds with the BJP’s vision for the region. Their hatred for Hindus has now further evolved into a hatred for the Jammu region, and that is visible from their discriminatory policies and actions.
Q: Do you think the BJP will secure more than five seats in the Kashmir Valley?
A: We are confident that the BJP will secure a significant number of seats in Jammu and Kashmir, driven by a wave of support from the Jammu region. Over the past decade, we have adhered to Atal Ji’s principles of “Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat, Kashmiriyat”—promoting humanity, democracy, and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we have diligently pursued comprehensive development for the region, concentrating on enhancing lives, upgrading infrastructure, and fostering peace. Prime Minister Modi’s frequent visits to Jammu and Kashmir underscore his dedication to development, with Rs 60,000 crore in projects inaugurated, including AIIMS Jammu, IIM Jammu, and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme. Furthermore, 72 Union Ministers have actively engaged with all 20 districts through the Outreach Programme, inaugurating 100 development projects and laying the foundation for 300 additional ones, demonstrating their commitment to transforming the region. All these steps have earned the BJP goodwill across Jammu and Kashmir, and we are confident that this will translate into a good performance in the upcoming Assembly elections. However, we don’t wish to get into predictions and forecasting on specific outcomes.
Q: One challenge for the BJP is the lack of a prominent leader to spearhead their campaign and serve as a potential Chief Ministerial candidate. Why has the BJP struggled to develop prominent leaders in the region?
A: It is true that we have not yet announced a Chief Ministerial candidate. However, our focus has always been on the broader vision of development for Jammu and Kashmir rather than on individual leadership. Since 2014, the BJP has generally approached Assembly elections in all the states without a Chief Ministerial candidate unless an incumbent CM is in place. Moreover, people have great trust in our esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies, which shape our approach and instil confidence in our vision for the region.
In Jammu and Kashmir, we have built a strong cadre of local leaders from the grassroots level. This strategy ensures that our leadership remains closely aligned with the region’s needs and aspirations. Today, we have introduced 32 new candidates for 45 constituencies where we have announced nominees. This highlights the strength of our leadership and our ability to develop credible, fresh grassroots leaders who truly reflect the people’s aspirations. Among the 45 announced candidates, 26 are graduates or hold higher qualifications, emphasising our focus on education and leadership capability. Despite only six seats in Jammu and Kashmir being reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), we have allocated nine seats to ST candidates. This decision underscores our commitment to promoting leaders from disadvantaged communities and ensuring diverse representation in governance. And with the support of God and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is committed to providing the region with genuine leadership that reflects our vision and is ready to steer it towards ongoing progress.