BJP's First-Ever Srinagar Organisational Meet
For the first time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held an organisational meeting of its Jammu and Kashmir unit in Srinagar, a development reported by The Indian Express. The meet gathered party office-bearers from across the Union Territory, with senior leaders including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, former party chief Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana in attendance, as listed by Lokmat Times.
Sat Sharma, a former BJP chief, called for sustained engagement with the people and increased 'pravaas' (stay) by senior leaders and office bearers to strengthen direct contact across J&K. His remarks, carried by The Indian Express, framed the BJP as "not merely a political organisation but a movement rooted in nationalist ideology and dedicated to public service."
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Peace, Development, and Space
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasised the changes in the region since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. According to multiple reports, Singh said that over the past 12 years, Jammu and Kashmir has seen an "restoration of normalcy," with development work progressing and youth becoming more aspirational. Lokmat Times quoted him as saying that conditions are returning to a routine state, and the mindset of the youth is shifting as they have seen the difficult era the region has emerged from.
Singh also highlighted achievements in the space sector, a report appearing in Lokmat Times, noting that exactly three years ago, on August 23, India became the first country to reach the Moon's South Pole with the Chandrayaan mission. He credited this to the enabling support from Prime Minister Modi's leadership, which allowed the space sector to be opened to the private sector.
Furthermore, Singh mentioned the 'Purple Revolution' in lavender farming and the construction of new dams, which he said aligned with the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) by 2047.
LoP Sunil Sharma's Attack on Omar Abdullah Government
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the meeting brought together BJP office-bearers from all regions, willing to deliberate on public issues and party strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly session. He commented on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah remarks, saying: "Omar Abdullah spoke yesterday, and I welcome that, please ask whatever you wish. We will present our role and our work before you. It is certainly true that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir does not like the opposition." This claim was reported by Daily Excelsior, which also quoted Sharma as slamming the CM.
More pointed criticism emerged in The Indian Express, where Sharma charged the Omar Abdullah government with 'outsourcing jobs', withholding panchayat elections "to end grassroots democracy," and Corruption. He also accused the government of hiking power tariffs and announced a 'gherao Assembly' on September 2 to protest these issues. Lokmat Times also reported that party strategy for the Assembly session was discussed during the session.
MP Khatana's Comments and the Broader Context
BJP MP added comments in reports, as per Lokmat Times, saying the party is the world's largest cadre-based party, and the only issue concerning J&K is that it is under Pakistan's illegal occupation. He accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of vote-bank politics and attempting to hijack youth protests with anti-social elements.
Meanwhile, J&K Waqf Board Chairperson and Minister of State Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, quoted by Daily Excelsior, defended the opposition while criticising its response to government's work. She stated that the opposition cannot digest India's progress under PM Modi, and that Kashmiris are happy being with India, with the situation normalised after Article 370's revamp. The Daily Excelsior noted that Andrabi referred to US Ambassador's remarks that Kashmir is an integral part of India.
Social Media Outreach and Conclusion
The Indian Express also highlighted that the BJP leadership underlined the growing importance of social media and other platforms for communication, urging workers to use these tools effectively. The meeting solidified the party's intention to raise governance and welfare issues in the Assembly session.
This gathering marked a significant organisational step, as the party expands its footprint in the Kashmiri region. Sources indicated the meet was held after a considerable gap, as noted by Union Minister Singh in Lokmat Times, but historic for its Srinig location. The party's strategy, as expressed by its leaders, appears focused on portraying contrasts in governance under the present administration.