BJP’s Strategic Move in Nowshera Addresses Concerns Post-Lok Sabha Election Decision
Avinash Azad
In a significant political development, BJP State Chief Ravinder Raina is set to conduct a high-profile road show in the Nowshera Assembly constituency on Monday.
This move is expected to reinvigorate the party’s cadre and supporters in the region, signaling the BJP’s readiness for the upcoming electoral battle.
The road show comes at a critical juncture for the BJP in Nowshera. Following the party’s decision not to field a candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency in the recent Lok Sabha elections, supporters in Nowshera were left in a state of uncertainty. Raina’s presence is seen as a strategic move to reaffirm the party’s commitment to the constituency and dispel any doubts about its future plans.
Ravinder Raina, who secured a significant victory in Nowshera during the 2014 Assembly elections by defeating PDP’s Surinder Choudhary, has since established himself as a leader accepted across all sections of society. His tenure, spanning three terms, as State President has seen him evolve into a mass leader with deep grassroots connections, making him a prominent figure in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
The political scenario in Nowshera has become more complex with Surinder Choudhary now representing the National Conference. This shift adds a new dimension to the upcoming elections, setting the stage for a fierce contest between two well-known local figures.
The BJP has seized upon the National Conference’s controversial manifesto, which includes proposals to change the names of the historical Shankaracharya Hillocks and Hari Parbat Hill Fort to Takht-e-Suleiman and Koh-i-Maran. This has become a major point of contention, particularly resonating in the Hindu-dominated Nowshera constituency.
The BJP’s aggressive stance on this issue is likely to benefit the party, potentially shifting electoral dynamics in its favor. While the official announcement of the fourth list BJP’s candidate for the upcoming elections is still awaited, Raina’s road show is expected to set the tone for the party’s campaign in Nowshera.
His ability to connect with the masses and widespread acceptance across the region could prove to be a decisive factor in what promises to be an intensely contested election.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that the BJP may field Pawan Khajuria again from Udhampur East and Kavinder Gupta from Bhau (formerly Gandhi Nagar). The candidates for Marh, Bishnah, and Rajouri are expected to be announced today.
