BJP Sarpanch’s killing creates resignation wave

SRINAGAR — A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sarpanch tendered his resignation after militants shot dead a Sarpanch in southern Kulgam district on Thursday morning.

A Sarpanch, Mohammad Iqbal from Chandian Pajan, Devsar area of Kulgam district in a video message says, “I am resigning from the post of Sarpanch. I have not earned a penny after being elected as Sarpanch. I have small kids and my wife has died. If I die, there is no one to take care of my kids.”

Recent attacks on BJP political activists has triggered a wave of resignations from Panchayat members including Sarpanchs, Panchs and workers.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Sarpanch said that “all the BJP Sarpanches, Panches and workers are feeling insecure, I request my people to stay away from BJP. We don’t want to die,” he said.

A secretary of BJP from Dooru constituency in Anantnag district also resigned on Thursday and said, “I request people to forgive me, if my actions have hurt them.”

At least three BJP workers resigned on Wednesday after unidentified gunmen attacked a BJP Sarpanch at Mir Bazar locality in Anantnag.