In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, Special Correspondent Abid Bashir, J&K BJP Chief Sat Sharma discussed his party’s efforts to win the trust of the people of Kashmir before next Assembly polls. Sharma was recently re-elected as BJP’s J&K Chief for the second time. Buoyed by the party’s victory in Delhi after more than 26 years, Sharma attributes the BJP’s defeat in the Valley during the previous Assembly polls to some miscalculations. He believes that Kashmir will support the BJP in the next elections. EXCERPTS:
Q: BJP has swept Delhi elections after over 26 years, how do you see it?
Sat Sharma: We knew from the very beginning of the election campaign that BJP would win. Even though Congress fully backed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—in fact, you could say both parties were contesting together against BJP—the people made a wise choice by supporting the BJP. They were fed up with AAP’s corruption and scandals. The people of Delhi chose BJP because they recognised that it is the only party that can safeguard their interests and serve them better. Now, BJP’s government in Delhi will leave no stone unturned in taking the city to new heights. Just wait and watch.
Q: How far was the Modi-factor responsible for Delhi triumph?
Sat Sharma: To a large extent. Delhi has always been close to the heart of Prime Minister Modiji. But people are supreme and their decision is ultimate. Better sense finally prevailed and the people of Delhi understood that Modiji is the only leader who can address their concerns, resolve their issues and change the map of Delhi. Now its BJP’s turn to return the love it received from Delhiites with full respect.
Q: How do you see Congress performance in Delhi polls?
Sat Sharma: This party is nowhere now. It’s on its deathbed, as the people have rejected it both in Jammu and Kashmir and now in Delhi as well. I believe this party will not survive in the coming years. People of India have understood the futility of family rule politics. There’s no place for family politics in the evolving political landscape of India. Congress tried to forge unity under the banner of the INDIA alliance, but look where that is now—it has fractured into parts.
Q: If the dynamics of politics have changed across country, why BJP failed to get majority in J&K Assembly polls?
Sat Sharma: There were some miscalculations and we couldn’t open an account in Kashmir. In Jammu, we emerged as the single largest party with 29 seats. In entire J&K, we got the largest vote share of 26 per cent. Seat-wise we got less but vote-wise we got more than other parties.
Q: Why party couldn’t even win a single seat from Kashmir?
See, it is not that people of Kashmir have rejected BJP completely. We have many District Development Council (DDC) members in Kashmir, who have won the elections. Many Sarpanch won on BJP ticket. This shows that BJP is gaining popularity in Kashmir with each passing day. There was a time when BJP was nowhere in Kashmir and today, political scenario is totally different. In politics, ups and downs are routine, we did the homework, rather a series of introspective sessions were held at the party level and obviously a strategy was finalised for future.
Q: Is it true that you were banking on some other parties in Kashmir?
Sat Sharma: No. Not at all. BJP was contesting on its own. Had that been the case, we would not have fielded our candidates on 62 seats. We lost some seats with a thin margin.
Q: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were sure about forming government in J&K. What went wrong?
Sat Sharma: As I stated, there were some miscalculations. But things are changing fast.
Q: What is your Kashmir plan now?
Sat Sharma: Now that I have been elected as the president of the J&K BJP, I will visit every nook and corner of Kashmir. I will meet people, get their feedback and explain my party’s vision of governance. We have a plan for Kashmir and that is to take every section of the society along. Mark my words. Kashmir will spring a surprise in next Assembly polls. Read the writing on the wall that Kashmir will side with BJP as people have realised that their future lies with the BJP and in the integration with the Union of India. It is a matter of time and the time flies.
Q: Will you offer something out of the box to lure people in Kashmir?
Sat Sharma: We will offer what people need in the Valley. BJP will address their concerns. In the recent membership drive, we got a tremendous response from the ground. This indicates that people of Kashmir have started to build a relation with the BJP and very soon, you will see that the BJP will be the first choice of people of Kashmir.
Q: Do you think the road ahead in Kashmir is difficult as it is a Muslim majority region?
Sat Sharma: Our political rivals had started this discourse the Muslims won’t vote for BJP but they failed. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi through is efforts proved that BJP is not meant to serve any single community every single citizen of the country irrespective of the cast, colour, creed and religion. India is fast turning into the World’s third best economy under the leadership of PM Modi and that is because Modiji has kept the flock together. In the Lok Sabha polls, Muslims in large numbers voted in favour of BJP. That was the outcome of Modiji’s slogan—Sab ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas. This slogan has not just gained popularity but PM Modi has implemented it on the ground as well.
Q: National Conference emerged single largest party in the Assembly polls held last year. What is your take?
We respected people’s decision. But in Jammu, it couldn’t win more than five seats. Even Congress ship sank completely and the party tasted humiliating defeat in the Assembly polls.
