BJP won’t need support of any party to form government in J-K: Sunil Sharma

SRINAGAR — Accusing regional parties of Kashmir of being responsible for bloodshed in Kashmir, BJP’s General Secretary Sunil Sharma said leaders of the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should “stop dreaming” about the return of Article 370.

“There were some politicians who showed dreams to Kashmiris about Azaadi. Now, there are some parties like the National Conference and PDP who are dreaming about the return of Article 370 and fooling Kashmiris. Article 370 is gone and J&K is now on the path of progress and prosperity,” Sharma, who is also BJP’s Incharge Kashmir Affairs, told news agency KINS in an interview.

“NC and PDP leaders will seek votes over the restoration of Article 370 which in reality is not achievable. Only BJP has a proper agenda. We do what is in our manifesto,” he said.

National Conference and PDP are part of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), which has been seeking the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir which was revoked on August 5, 2019.

On the demand of political parties for early Assembly elections in J&K, he said, “Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous body which has to take decisions on polls. BJP is ready for the polls. We are moving towards elections as the delimitation exercise has been completed. Elections are likely to be held in March, April next year, then statehood would be returned to J&K.”

Sharma claimed that Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were responsible for the killing of Kashmiris. “How many youth were killed and blinded during Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure as chief minister? After the abrogation of Article 370, the BJP imposed restrictions in Kashmir and all were meant to save the lives of civilians. Pakistan is hell-bent to create disturbance in the valley which some mainstream politicians also support. By 2023, militancy will be over and then we have to deal only with people from across the border,” he said.

On targeted killings, he said, “Pakistan is frustrated to see the support of Kashmiris for the BJP. Recently, Har Ghar Tiranga rallies were held in every corner of J&K. Now, militants are targeting civilians in the valley to terrorize the people.”

He added, “People were not forced to hoist tricolour on Independence Day. BJP believes in nation first and party second.”