BJP will ensure that Pakistan doesn't 'celebrate' J&K election results on October 8: Tahir Choudhary

Dr Tahir Choudhary, BJP J&K Spokesperson

As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the final and the largest phase of the ongoing assembly polls, BJP J&K Kashmir spokesperson Dr. Tahir Choudhary exuded confidence in BJP emerging as the single-largest party on October 8.

Speaking to Moneycontrol on a host of issues from BJP's expectations from the election, unparalleled development in the region to the return of normalcy, Dr Choudhary,  in no uncertain terms said that the mood in the Union Territory is extremely positive and the saffron party will emerge victorious in the ongoing polls.

Having witnessed an impressive voter turnout in the first two phases, the remaining 40 seats of the 90-member legislature will go to the polls on October 1. This will be the most critical for the parties in the fray. In this phase, 24 seats of the predominantly Hindu districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Samba and Jammu will go to polls. The BJP has high stakes in these areas.

Excerpts from the interview:

- Why is BJP so confident of emerging victorious and what are its expectations from the polls?

BJP is completely relying on its organisational work in the region. Even in the kashmir valley, where the saffron party has fielded 19 candidates, it was done after taking ground-level inputs into consideration. People are really looking for an alternative 'governance model'. For far too long, the region was devoid of governments that work for the people. The traditional parties (PDP and NC) had taken the masses for granted. People of Jammu and Kashmir want India to celebrate on October 8 not Pakistan. BJP will ensure the wish is fulfilled.

- In terms of number of seats, how many seats can BJP expect to win?

I am not in a position to reveal the exact number of seats. However, I can say with certainty that the saffron party will emerge as the single largest party. The mandate will be historic as people will give their final stamp of approval on BJP's 'governance model'. People have understood how reading down of Article 370 has benefited them.

- How do you view the Centre's move to expand the ST list and the protests from the Gujjar-Bakerwal community?

It's a very good question. In order to understand the issue, one needs to understand the backstory and the context in which the move was made. In spite of shared ethnic qualities, socioeconomic disadvantage, ethnic affiliation, recurring migrations, and other factors, the Pahari ethnic group was disregarded and was not granted Schedule Tribe status in the 1990s, unlike other categories with similar traits. The move in no way dilutes the character of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir who were predominantly Muslim.

- Traders and businessmen say they suffered huge losses after the Centre ended the 'Durbar Move'?

I don't disagree that businesses in Jammu have taken a hit. The Durbar Move had a strong financial value, especially for the people of Jammu city. The people possibly didn’t realise this when they were all gung-ho about the move to stop this practice. The rationale used to end the move was that the Durbar Move was a way for the Kashmiri-dominated state parties like the National Conference to maintain their hegemony and deprive Jammu of its rightful share in the power.

- Realistic assessment of BJP's campaign in 2014 versus 2019?

The work done by the BJP in the past ten years has put us at an advantageous position. The people have realised that BJP does not make empty promises. The developmental work and the abrogation of Article 370 is an example of this. In 2014, BJP's campaign had mentioned about reading down Article 370, and in 2024, we are going to the polls with many such deliverables.

- How do you respond to charges that BJP has propped up Engineer Rashid to split the votes of regional outfits?

I am not surprised that NC and PDP make these allegations. The decision to release him on an 'interim basis' was taken by the judiciary. NC and PDP rake up the issue when they don't have any substantial to offer to the people. But, I am confident that people will reject their politics.

- What is behind govt’s land right move for Pakistani refugees in J-K?

This is a historic decision which should have been taken by previous governments. The decision, has granted proprietary rights to the West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) as well as the 1965 India-Pakistan war displaced on “state land” in the Union Territory on which their ancestors were settled by the then state government several decades ago. One should not believe in narratives that the move was aimed at wooing an estimated 30,000 families of West Pakistan Refugees and 1965 Indo-Pak war displaced in Jammu region, who belong to Hindu community.