BJP should walk the talk on its roadmap with focus on Jammu’s issues

JAMMU: Jammu has a right to have its own roadmap for emotional, political and development reconstruction. In all fairness, the region is still in search of its roadmap. This is, despite, Jammu’s almost complete support to BJP to articulate its problems and seek their solution. BJP should lead the way.
At this point in time, the BJP leadership is busy in pinning the National Conference government to fulfill its election time agenda enshrined in its manifesto. As the only opposition party of consequence with 28 MLAs in the current House of 88 – two seats being vacant; the saffron party is entitled to hold the government to account. But there is something more, which the BJP should ponder as it is the only party that was given majority of vote’s and seats by the people of this region to set the narrative of its own.
Recently, leader of opposition in J&K Assembly and senior leader of BJP Sunil Sharma questioned the Omar Abdullah government about promises that it had made in the Manifesto -2024.

His questions to the Chief Minister and his government were a comparison between what was written in the manifesto and the delivery so far. Obviously, there are gaps. The whole thing about 200 units of free power, doubling the ration and other welfare measures is restricted to the people falling in category of AAY. – Antyo Anna Yolanda . The BJP leader questioned, why it is not for all the citizens in J&K , as promised.

PERISCOPE

Sunil Sharma was angry that the discussions on the subject of regularization of daily wagers, jobs for the unemployed and the statehood for J&K, was washed out because of the ruckus created over the Waqbf Act by NC members in the last three days of the budget session from April 7 to 9. These are fair questions , but there is a different and more relevant issues at stake. That was reflection on Jammu-specific issues, though there is no denying the fact that all these questions put to the government concerned both the Valley and Jammu region in equal measure.
Jammu is facing renewed threat of revival of terrorism from across the border. Security forces and J&K police have foiled many attempts, and are battling those who have intruded. There is a question mark on the situation. Today, security forces are in much better position to tackle the situation created by Pakistani terrorists inside and on the borders. The effort requires political support not the skirmishes. BJP must enrich its own narrative on this count so that others follow it. Pakistan is the main enemy and its designs can be fought only if all the political parties are on the same page. BJP can lead in doing so.
BJP can take lead in moving among the people, making them aware about the emerging dangers. That will set a template for others to follow. It needs to work on focusing and targeting enemy’s plan. That would help other parties to follow the suit as the current mood is in favour of pursuing and furthering national interest.
A glimpse at “Sankalp Patra” – BJP’s manifesto for the 2024 elections, reveals that even if the party were to miss bus in forming the government in J&K, it had certain responsibilities to fulfill. BJP was clear from the very beginning that the elections will not change the status of J&K, because the party was privy to the fact that the Centre will not confer status of statehood anytime soon. So the law and order will remain with Ministry of Home Affairs and the powers will be exercised through Lieutenant Governor. The party also knew that LG will be wielding more powers in running the state of affairs. That makes it a party to running the UT. Therefore, because of its access in the corridors of power in Delhi and J&K, it also could have enhanced the scope of peace and delivery in the UT by employing narrative of achievements of the Modi government with specifics. It will find its own efforts were short of its own expectations.
BJP has a role to devise an alternative roadmap for J&K till the time it is in Opposition.