Ram Madhav, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in charge of Jammu and Kashmir elections, has provided significant insights into the recent electoral outcomes and the future of statehood in the region. Despite the BJP's performance in the Jammu region, the party faced challenges in the Kashmir Valley.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Madhav dispelled rumors of an alliance between the BJP and the National Conference (NC) or any other party. He expressed confidence in the BJP's ability to inch closer to a majority in the upcoming polls, stating, 'We are not in talks with anybody,' and emphasizing the party's commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Madhav reiterated that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have firmly promised to restore statehood to the region. However, when pressed for a specific timeline, he pointed out that Parliament would be the only body capable of providing a concrete answer, as the commitment was made on the floor of Parliament as early as August 6, 2019.
The BJP leader also addressed concerns about delays in restoring statehood, emphasizing that there is complete commitment to this promise. He highlighted significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir over the last five to ten years, noting that the region has given up its terror-based identity and is now relatively peaceful in terms of separatism.
Madhav emphasized the need for guarantees from regional leaders to prevent the resurgence of separatist movements. 'Those in power in the state should be reassuring the people in Delhi that they won't bring those tendencies back into this region. Then full statehood is possible,' he said.
BJP's Performance in Jammu and Kashmir Elections
The BJP contested 19 seats in the Kashmir Valley but did not win any. However, Madhav highlighted that the party came second in two seats, including one where the margin was only 1,000-odd votes. He noted that there was an appetite for BJP's politics in the Valley, with many people listening to their speeches and showing support for Prime Minister Modi's development programs.
Madhav criticized the Congress for its lackluster campaign in Jammu, accusing its leaders of treating the election as a 'tourism' opportunity rather than engaging with the electorate. He contrasted this with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's extensive road journeys to rally the people.
Statehood Demand and Future Prospects
Madhav indicated that Jammu and Kashmir will get its statehood but with certain conditions or caveats. He stated that the region has traveled a lot of distance in the last five to ten years, giving up its terror-based identity and becoming relatively peaceful in terms of separatism.
However, he added a caveat: 'Those in power in the state should be reassuring the people in Delhi that they won't bring those tendencies back into this region. Then full statehood is possible.' This indicates that while the BJP supports statehood, it is contingent upon assurances against separatist movements.
The National Conference and Congress alliance has come to power in Jammu and Kashmir, winning 49 out of 90 seats. Both parties had made restoration of statehood a major election promise, which was also reiterated by the BJP. However, going by the results, the Valley appeared unconvinced.
Omar Abdullah, the leader most likely to be the Chief Minister of J&K, has stated that he is willing to set aside the question of Article 370 and set up a working relationship with the Centre. Ram Madhav responded by saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not discriminate between states or consider which party is in power, and that the BJP would certainly work for the good of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In summary, Ram Madhav's insights highlight the complexities and challenges faced by the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. While there is an appetite for BJP's politics in the Valley, the party's performance in the elections was mixed. The future of statehood remains contingent upon assurances against separatist movements, emphasizing the need for stability and cooperation from regional leaders.
