Srinagar: BJP invoked Sufism, lack of development, corruption and dynastic politics in J&K during its month-long campaign for the recently concluded district development council (DDC) elections.
BJP’s national spokesperson and party’s Muslim face Syed Shanawaz Hussain camped in the Union Territory for a month and travelled across the Valley to spread his party’s message. Hussain was vehement in his attack on J&K’s regional parties, calling them a “gang of corrupt individuals who have joined hands for personal interests”. During campaigns, he often invoked his Muslim identity and Syed ancestry to touch base with locals, especially in Kashmir’s rural areas. He even visited the shrines of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom in Srinagar and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din in Charar-e-Sharief of Budgam district in an attempt to understand and address the ‘Sufi nuance’ of the religion prevailing in the Valley.
“I was sent to nullify propaganda against BJP. We believe in Sufism and 99% of people in Kashmir are peace loving… Muslims can never be stone-pelters… We are taught to be patient even when somebody throws stones or garbage at us,” said Hussain.
The other BJP leaders who visited Kashmir managed to skirt around the issue of abrogation of Article 370, reiterating the need to focus on development and the need to revive the democratic process. In past one month, BJP leaders, mostly Hussain, addressed 11 press conferences and held 13 political rallies across Kashmir.
BJP may be far from gaining electoral popularity in Kashmir, but, as of now, it has managed to create a discourse against regional parties like NC and PDP who have ruled J&K in the past. BJP is hopeful of opening its account in Kashmir and some of the Independents may join BJP after the results.
BJP’s national spokesperson and party’s Muslim face Syed Shanawaz Hussain camped in the Union Territory for a month and travelled across the Valley to spread his party’s message. Hussain was vehement in his attack on J&K’s regional parties, calling them a “gang of corrupt individuals who have joined hands for personal interests”. During campaigns, he often invoked his Muslim identity and Syed ancestry to touch base with locals, especially in Kashmir’s rural areas. He even visited the shrines of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom in Srinagar and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din in Charar-e-Sharief of Budgam district in an attempt to understand and address the ‘Sufi nuance’ of the religion prevailing in the Valley.
“I was sent to nullify propaganda against BJP. We believe in Sufism and 99% of people in Kashmir are peace loving… Muslims can never be stone-pelters… We are taught to be patient even when somebody throws stones or garbage at us,” said Hussain.
The other BJP leaders who visited Kashmir managed to skirt around the issue of abrogation of Article 370, reiterating the need to focus on development and the need to revive the democratic process. In past one month, BJP leaders, mostly Hussain, addressed 11 press conferences and held 13 political rallies across Kashmir.
BJP may be far from gaining electoral popularity in Kashmir, but, as of now, it has managed to create a discourse against regional parties like NC and PDP who have ruled J&K in the past. BJP is hopeful of opening its account in Kashmir and some of the Independents may join BJP after the results.
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