Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) accused of diluting its core agenda for the sake of running an alliance Government under the captaincy of Mufti Mohd Sayeed is now keen on declaring October 26, celebrated as Accession Day, a State Government holiday in Jammu & Kashmir.
leaders of the State BJP unit have already apprised Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh of their wish list demanding a gazetted holiday on October 26 to allow people to celebrate the historic day.
On this day in 1947, erstwhile Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh had signed historic Instrument of Accession with the Union of India.
BJP is expected to remain firm as it is aiming to shore up its image after facing brick bats from different political quarters over their perceived surrender before the alliance partner Peoples Democratic Party.
Before coming to power BJP leaders every year raised the demand of declaring October 26 a State holiday.
All the former State Presidents, members of National executive and party spokespersons have endorsed the popular demand in the past in clear words.
Now after joining the ranks of the State Government in alliance with diametrically opposite Peoples Democratic Party the State unit of the party is pushing for grand celebrations at least in Jammu region to resurrect its image in the eyes of electorate.
Speaking to The Pioneer Deputy Chief Minister confirmed the State BJP leaders have raised the issue of declaring October 26 a State holiday with him recently.
He said in the coming days he will take up the matter with the alliance partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to build broader consensus on the issue.
When asked whether the issue would be first debated in the coordination panel or he would hold deliberations with the Chief Minister ahead of issuing the notification Nirmal Singh told The Pioneer, “BJP has been celebrating Accession Day in the State while sitting in Opposition. Now we are running an alliance Government I will try my level best to build a consensus on the issue”.
BJP State General Secretary Narinder Singh, however, shared a balanced view point. He told The Pioneer, BJP has been celebrating October 26 as Accession day and this year too we are planning to organise a gala event to mark the historic day. On the question of announcing a holiday Narinder Singh said, “I personally don’t subscribe to the view point of declaring a holiday on October 26”.
PDP MlC in the upper house of the State legislature and Maharaja Hari Singh’s grandson Vikramaditya Singh told The Pioneer, “There is little doubt that Maharaja Hari Singh was a forward thinking and visionary ruler. During his rule from 1925 to 1947, several historic and landmark social reforms were undertaken throughout the State with long lasting implications. The accession day is indeed historically critical in the transition of J&K from being a Princely State to joining the Union of India. He, however, avoided taking a direct call on the issue of declaring October 26 a State holiday fearing backlash from the party high command.
“In my personal opinion declaring September 23rd as State holiday will be honouring Maharaja Hari Singh who said, “As a ruler I have no religion, all religions are mine and my religion is justice.” His words and deeds will always remain relevant in Jammu & Kashmir. Many continue to draw inspiration from him even today. It would be wise for the Government to take note of popular public demand as has been done in the case of other State leaders and popular icons,” PDP MlC added.