JAMMU, Aug 26: A high-stakes political drama unfolded on Monday in both Jammu and New Delhi after the BJP high command released a list of 44 candidates for the upcoming J&K elections. However, due to intense pressure from the RSS and the J&K BJP unit, the high command was forced to withdraw the list of candidates finalized by the Central Election Committee. The list, released around 10 AM, had sidelined dedicated workers and leaders of the party and organization, sparking annoyance from the RSS. The RSS lodged a strong protest with the high command for ignoring the ‘Sangathan’ (organization) in finalizing the candidates. Highly placed sources revealed that after the intervention and strong resentment from the J&K RSS unit and RSS headquarters in Nagpur, the BJP high command withdrew the list of candidates. However, the 15 candidates for the first phase remain unchanged, and an additional 16th candidate, Chowdhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar for Kokernag (ST), was cleared by the BJP high command late in the afternoon. Sources added that the RSS protested against the BJP for ignoring party loyalists and favouring new entrants. Supporters of various BJP leaders also gheraoed the BJP office at Trikuta Nagar, raising slogans against the ignoring of deserving candidates.
