NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 06(NVI) : In a move aimed at bolstering its public engagement and addressing grievances at the grassroots level, the BJP has deployed its MLAs across assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to increase its public outreach.
The initiative, which includes regular public darbars at the party’s Trikuta Nagar headquarters of Jammu and similar sessions in Kashmir, is seen as an effort to strengthen the party’s outreach in the region.
However, observers suggest it could be perceived as an attempt to run a parallel government as 28 legislators of BJP are not happy with the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led government.
Sources said that during a high-level meeting chaired by BJP President Sat Sharma, attended by General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, and senior leaders Dr. Devinder Manyal and Adv. Vibodh Gupta in Jammu, key decisions were finalized:
BJP MLAs have been assigned specific constituencies to ensure regular interaction with the public and party workers.
Each MLA is tasked to visit their designated constituency at least once a month to address local grievances and offer support.
Assignments include:
Shakti Raj Parihar: Banihal
Er. Pawan Gupta: Ramban
Dr. Devinder Manyal & Ch. Vikram Randhawa: Chhamb
Adv. Ranbir Singh Pathania: Nagrota
Dr. Narinder Singh & Dr. Rajiv Bhagat: Poonch
Sham Lal Sharma & Dr. Sunil Bhardwaj: North Kashmir
Balwant Singh Mankotia and Adv. Vijay Sharma: South Kashmir
Starting December 16, senior BJP leaders will hold grievance redressal sessions at the party’s Jammu headquarters. The schedule includes:
Monday: Sham Lal Sharma and Mohan Lal Bhagat
Tuesday: Surjit Singh Salathia, Dr. Devinder Manyal, and Prof. Garu Ram Bhagat
Wednesday: Dr. Narinder Singh, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, and Balwant Singh Mankotia
Thursday: Chander Prakash Ganga, Dr. Devinder Manyal, and Arvind Gupta
Friday: Sunil Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi, and Surinder Bhagat.
Special attention has been given to politically and socially sensitive regions like North, Central, and South Kashmir, as well as remote areas such as Banihal and Poonch. This targeted outreach aims to bridge the gap between the leadership and the people in conflict-prone areas.
While BJP sources describe the initiative as a step toward strengthening grassroots engagement and organizational structure, critics argue it resembles a parallel governance model. Observers view the public darbars and MLA deployments as a strategic move to expand the party’s political footprint in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of the region’s unique administrative challenges.
A senior BJP leader stated, “By prioritizing grassroots issues and grievances, the party aims to reinforce its commitment to the people while boosting its presence in J&K.”
This development has sparked debate over its implications, with supporters hailing it as an innovative outreach effort and detractors questioning its alignment with established governance structures. (News Vibes of India)
