Says without 2019 reform, J&K’s future would be uncertain; ‘party ready for Panchayat, ULB polls’
Kupwara, July 26: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary (Organisation), Ashok Koul, on Saturday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir will regain its statehood soon, asserting that the government is not afraid of protests or political pressure over the issue.
Speaking to reporters here, Koul, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the Centre has already committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate time. He urged people to trust the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
“The government has said it will restore statehood when the time is right. We have full trust in the words of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah. When they feel it is appropriate, they will act. There is no fear of protests influencing the timeline,” he said.
Dismissing the notion that fresh assembly elections are a prerequisite for the restoration of statehood, the BJP leader said the process is not dependent on each other. “Restoration of statehood doesn’t require fresh elections. This NC government is likely to get statehood during its tenure,” he added.
Koul said that day-to-day governance issues like ration availability, electricity supply, and regularisation of daily wagers have no direct link to the question of statehood. “Statehood is not necessary for ensuring basic services. The current government can still provide these facilities. Statehood is not a barrier,” he said.
Defending the BJP-led central government’s 2019 move to abrogate Article 370 and reorganise J&K, Koul claimed that the region is now on a progressive path.
“We are working towards ‘Naya Jammu and Kashmir’ — something only possible after 2019. Without that change, J&K’s fate would have remained uncertain,” he said.
The BJP leader also signalled the party’s full preparedness for the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, dates expected to be announced soon.
He said the party has built a strong presence at the grassroots level and is ready to contest local body elections across the Union Territory.
“Whether it’s panchayats or polling booths, our workers are active and continuously reaching the ground. The BJP is fully prepared for the elections whenever they are held,” Koul said, after the joining of several retired army personnel on Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The event, as per the BJP General Secretary (Org), not only celebrated the military victory of 1999 but also marked a symbolic political consolidation, with veterans joining the party, boosting its local cadre strength in the frontier district of Kupwara.
Koul praised the efforts of the local BJP leadership for their groundwork in expanding the party’s reach in the region. He reiterated the party’s commitment to democratic processes and emphasised that grassroots elections are essential for development and governance.
“The BJP is not just a political party here; it is becoming a movement that connects with people at the ground level in Kashmir,” he added— (KNO)
