Jammu, Sept 16: Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana has asserted that Jammu will play a pivotal role in determining the next government of Jammu and Kashmir, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8 in the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections.
Addressing campaign rallies in Dheyaran, Ban, and Faghari, as well as Mathwar in Amb Gharota and Mathwar Mandal in the Nagrota Assembly Constituency, Rana, the BJP’s candidate, credited the political empowerment of Jammu to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized that Modi’s leadership has ensured equal opportunities for both Jammu and Kashmir regions in decision-making and governance.
Rana highlighted the significance of the BJP’s core agenda of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” as a strategy to end long-standing discrimination between regions and societal segments. He linked this vision to the holistic development and peace-building efforts that followed the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
“The people of Jammu want to enjoy the dividends of peace, particularly in the Valley, which was previously mired in violence and uncertainty,” Rana remarked. He criticized political actors for exploiting emotive issues to gain support while neglecting the region’s long-term welfare.
For the first time in decades, Rana stated, Jammu’s political role has become pronounced, positioning the region to influence the governance structure of Jammu and Kashmir. He urged voters to back BJP candidates to ensure the vision of a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous “Naya Jammu Kashmir,” aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Political observers agree with Rana’s assessment, noting that recent reforms and a growing sense of regional empowerment will significantly affect the political alignment in the Union Territory. The BJP leader further lauded the political developments of August 2019 as transformative, claiming they have opened new opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
As the upcoming elections approach, the eyes of the nation remain on Jammu, with the region poised to play a central role in shaping the future of governance in the post-reorganization era of Jammu and Kashmir.