‘Normalcy returning’: BJP holds its first-ever organisational meet in Srinagar

The Jammu & Kashmir branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) convened its inaugural organizational gathering in Srinagar on Sunday. The primary objectives of the meeting were to bolster the organization and amplify grassroots outreach. The BJP emphasized the importance of maintaining ideological dedication and strengthening booth-level representation.

Party chief of the J&K unit, Sat Sharma, presided over the meeting alongside Union Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul. The two-day conclave will conclude on Monday.

During the gathering, Sharma urged the workers to engage with the public and increase the presence of senior party leaders to foster direct contact across Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, "BJP is not merely a political organization, but a movement rooted in nationalist ideology and dedicated to public service." This was the first time the BJP had organized an official meeting in Srinagar; previous state unit meetings had taken place in Jammu.

Union Minister Singh remarked that there has been a notable change in the mindset of people in Jammu and Kashmir since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. He highlighted peace and the return of normalcy, as well as the rapid pace of development works, to support the BJP's claims.

The BJP leadership also highlighted the increasing significance of social media and other platforms in disseminating party programs, policies, and outreach initiatives to a broader audience. They encouraged party workers to utilize these platforms effectively to maintain communication with the people. LoP Sharma stressed the importance of addressing the concerns of J&K citizens, particularly issues that would be raised in the upcoming Assembly session in September.

He accused the Omar Abdullah government of meddling in the future of the youth by "outsourcing jobs" and withholding the conduct of panchayat elections in J&K, which he argued would end grassroots democracy in the region. Additionally, Sharma alleged that the government was growing corruption and hiking power tariffs. The BJP vowed to hold a gherao (sit-in) outside the Assembly on September 2 to protest these issues.

The meeting included interactions and organizational sessions with senior party leaders, district presidents, prabharis, and Members of Legislative Assembly.