Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Incharge of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Madhav, expressed optimism today that his party will emerge as the largest in the October 8 Assembly elections in the Union Territory (UT). Madhav also declared that the BJP is aiming for a Jammu-centric government this time.
In an interview with a news channel, Madhav confidently stated that the National Conference (NC), Congress, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) combined would be unable to surpass the number of seats the BJP is expected to win in these elections. He added that the BJP, which is contesting 43 seats in the Jammu region, is poised to sweep the elections there. Additionally, the party has fielded 19 candidates from the Kashmir Valley, and Madhav hinted at a historic result from the Valley.
“We want a Jammu-centric government in J&K this time,” Madhav said. He explained that the party did not field candidates for all 47 seats in Kashmir, choosing instead to focus on strong, capable candidates. He teased that the BJP could achieve its first-ever victory in one of the Valley constituencies, adding, “You will get a surprising result from Kashmir on October 8.”
When asked about potential post-election alliances, Madhav remained tight-lipped, saying, “I don’t want to talk about the post-October 8 scenario at this juncture.” However, he noted that the BJP is confident of securing a strong mandate in Jammu.
Madhav predicted that the election results from the Valley would yield a fractured mandate, with the NC, Congress, and PDP unable to reach the halfway mark. He highlighted the role of other political players, such as Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by Engineer Rashid, People’s Conference (PC) of Sajjad Lone, and several dissident candidates from NC and PDP, which would significantly affect the outcome. “The real action will begin after the results on October 8,” Madhav stated.
Responding to suggestions that he had been brought in to play a critical role in J&K politics, Madhav said that not only he but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and others would be involved in the government formation process after the results.
On the question of whether the BJP would install a Chief Minister from Kashmir this time, Madhav reiterated the party’s desire for a Jammu-centric government. He emphasized that while there is a strong sentiment for such a government, achieving it requires the necessary numbers.
Madhav, who has long been involved in Kashmir affairs since his days with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said that dealing with Kashmir requires “large-heartedness and an open mind.” He emphasized the importance of being accommodating when addressing the complexities of the region.
When asked about Kashmir’s opposition to the abrogation of Article 370, Madhav pointed out that many Kashmiris openly praise Prime Minister Modi’s development agenda. “Most Kashmiris don’t want Article 370 back, and they are happy with the PM’s development process. This can be seen from social media messages from the people of Kashmir,” he said.
He also addressed the NC’s manifesto, which includes the promise to restore Article 370. However, Madhav highlighted Home Minister Amit Shah’s stance, stating, “No power can bring Article 370 back.”
On the issue of restoring Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Madhav pointed out that while the Congress had included this promise in its manifesto, the decision ultimately lies with the Union Government. He suggested that the matter could be debated in Parliament, where opposition parties, including Congress, could have their say.
With the October 8 Assembly elections just around the corner, Madhav’s confident remarks have set the stage for a high-stakes political contest in Jammu and Kashmir.
