No pre-poll alliance in J&K, BJP confident of crossing 50 seat mark in LA: Ashok Koul

BJP gaining popularity among people of J&K

MASROOR AHMAD

SRINAGAR: Senior BJP leader Ashok Koul on Thursday said that his party has a long history of struggle and sacrifice and it will continue till our commitments for the welfare of people are fulfilled.
Addressing a press conference at Church Lane Srinagar, he said the BJP will not join the pre-poll alliance for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, as the party is confident of winning more than 50 seats and forming the government on its own. He said, after the elections take place, if an alliance is needed, it will happen. But as of now the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided that we will cross 50 seats given the support the BJP is getting in Kashmir.
When asked some political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are claiming the BJP is afraid of facing the elections in the UT, Koul said his party is ready for the polls. He said, the BJP is ready for the polls and I want to tell the parties to start preparations as the assembly elections are to take place before September. On the Supreme Court’s ruling on Article 370, Koul said BJP’s stand is that everyone should accept the apex court’s verdict. He said he had no answer. The Supreme Court is the highest court in democratic India. We have already said that whatever decisions the Supreme Court takes, everyone should accept these, he added. Earlier, hundreds of activists from regional parties, doctors, and prominent figures joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Srinagar, in the presence of BJP General Secretary (Org), Ashok Koul. He welcomed the new members from various districts, including Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, and Bandipora. Ashok Koul expressed his appreciation for the increasing recognition of the BJP as a trusted and commendable party nationwide, offering ample opportunities for its members to showcase their abilities. Approximately 300 individuals attended the event, with around 200 formally joining the BJP, relinquishing their affiliations with the NC, Congress, and other local parties.