Jammu, Jan 04: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson for Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia called upon the National Conference (NC) and Indian National Congress (INC) to “learn fundamental lessons” about democracy, saying these parties have strayed far from democratic principles.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP Headquarters in Jammu, Dr Jasrotia along with Dr Pradeep Mahotra, Media Incharge J&K BJP, accused both the NC and INC of eroding the principles of democratic governance within their organisational and leadership structures. He contrasted their approach with the BJP’s commitment to fostering democracy through its Sangathan Parv.
“NC and INC don’t truly believe in democracy,” Dr Jasrotia said, “They exploit the term to deceive the masses and maintain their grip on power.” He provided a historical illustration of undemocratic decision-making in the Congress, recalling the 1946 Congress Working Committee (CWC) elections, where Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel garnered 12 votes but Jawaharlal Nehru was chosen as India’s first Prime Minister with just one vote. “This event set a precedent for a system of selected rather than elected leadership within Congress,” he remarked.
The BJP spokesperson accused the NC of replicating these undemocratic methods in Jammu and Kashmir by creating a culture of dynastic politics that alienates grassroots voices. “Both NC and INC have betrayed the democratic spirit by prioritising dynastic and elitist interests over true representation,” he added.
He praised the BJP’s Sangathan Parv as an exemplar of authentic democracy, saying that the party’s internal elections start at the booth level and ascend through various tiers—mandal, district and state—culminating in the election of the national president. “This structured process ensures that leadership reflects the will of the party workers from the grassroots up,” he said.
Dr Jasrotia addressed recent controversies, such as the one involving Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s bag, describing it as a biased narrative intended to divert attention from more pressing political issues. He called on the media to adopt a more objective perspective and focus on substantive discussions.
The BJP spokesperson urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to “reject the outdated and undemocratic practices” of both NC and INC and instead opt for a “new era of participatory politics” under the BJP.
