Jammu — Sunil Sharma, a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Friday described the recent assembly election in Jammu & Kashmir as a clash between two opposing ideologies.
He characterised one side as representing the legacy of the National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, supported by separatist forces and stone-pelters, while positioning the nationalists as the victors in this ideological battle.
“This was not a contest between individuals; it was a fight between two schools of thought,” he asserted in an interview with KNS, adding that the nationalist vision ultimately prevailed.
Sharma shared his insights on the political landscape, the party’s vision, and its future in Jammu & Kashmir.
When addressing the BJP’s failure to secure a seat in the Kashmir Valley despite its growing influence, he acknowledged the challenges without specifying them. “We had hoped to open our account in Kashmir, but several factors contributed to our inability to do so,” he explained.
However, Sharma said the party is expanding in the region, claiming that the BJP has achieved a good vote share in both Jammu and Kashmir. “We are now the largest party in terms of vote share. It’s only a matter of time before this translates into electoral victories,” he said.
Regarding the BJP’s pre-election slogan of securing “50 plus” seats and ensuring a Dogra Chief Minister for Jammu, Sunil said that setting high goals is crucial. “We aimed for 50 plus. Our goal was 100 percent, and while we didn’t reach that number, we worked hard toward it,” he said.
The BJP leader acknowledged that external factors, including the political climate and voters’ choices, influenced the final outcome. Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the BJP, noting its significant inroads into the politics of Jammu and Kashmir.
When discussing the defeat of the BJP’s Jammu & Kashmir unit president, Ravinder Raina in the Nowshera seat, he attributed it to Raina’s broader responsibilities rather than any personal shortcomings. He praised Raina’s leadership, highlighting his role in securing 29 seats for the BJP across the region.
“Raina ji focused on the overall success of the party rather than just his own constituency, which contributed to his narrow loss,” Sharma said. He drew parallels with historical political figures like Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, both of whom faced electoral defeats at various points in their careers.
Sharma thanked his supporters and pledged to work tirelessly to meet their expectations. “I will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people who have placed their trust in me. From development to security, I will do everything in my power to ensure our region’s progress,” he stated.
