Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday started carpet bombing in Jammu region to woo the electorate in the last leg of campaigning for the first phase of Assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir.
Three senior most leaders of the party including party Chief Amit Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister JP Nadda spent the day in Jammu region campaigning for the party and attended series of meetings to take stock of the poll readiness of party machinery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to address election rally in Kishtwar on November 22. Stakes are too high for BJP as it is aiming to make inroads in the Congress bastion. At present five out of six Assembly seats are held by Congress legislators in the region. Grassroot BJP workers are spread out in the hilly region and focusing on door to door campaign in support of party candidates.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh started the campaign by visiting remote Paddar area of Kishtwar district to campaign in support of BJP candidate Sunil Sharma. Singh later he flew to Bhaderwah for second rally of the day seeking votes for Daleep Singh.
At both the places the atmosphere was electrifying. Chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' greeted Rajnath Singh amid thunderous applause. BJP flags were seen fluttering atop rooftops in remote hills. Presence of large number of women and youth in the election rally has raised hopes of BJP leaders of large voter turn out on polling day.
Sharma is giving tough challenge to sitting legislator of National Conference Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo from Kishtwar Assembly seat.
Seeking votes in support of party candidates Rajnath Singh said the BJP is contesting the Assembly polls to form a corruption free and transparent Government in the State. "I promise you, the BJP will deliver good governance and develop the State of Jammu & Kashmir as model of peace and development".
Speaking to reporters after the rally Rajnath Singh targeted political parties for raking the issue of Article 370 to divert the attention of masses. Singh said, "Abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution is a national issue and should not be raked up during Assembly elections for vote bank politics.
“It (Article 370) is (a) national issue. It is debatable. BJP’s stand on it is clear. There is no need to rake up this issue during Assembly polls.”