BJP Initiates Damage Control in J&K Following Protests Over Ticket Distribution

The BJP initiated damage control on Wednesday after Jammu and Kashmir party president Ravinder Raina faced backlash from workers. They were upset over the denial of a ticket to Rohit Dubey for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in Reasi district. Dubey's name was replaced by former MLA Baldev Raj Sharma in the revised candidate list.

Union minister Jitendra Singh, national general secretary and in-charge J&K Tarun Chugh, Raina, member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, election management committee convener Sarb Singh Naag, and other senior BJP leaders were present at the party headquarters. The BJP described this gathering as a demonstration of unity and organisational strength.

Protests and Party Response

Earlier in the day, Raina rushed to Katra where Dubey's supporters had blocked the highway outside the new party office. They were protesting against the decision to field Sharma instead of Dubey. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat will go to polls along with 25 other segments on September 25.

Meanwhile, protests continued at the BJP office for the third consecutive day with agitated workers from Chhamb constituency raising slogans against fielding former MLA Rajeev Sharma. They demanded a local leader instead of an outsider for the ticket.

Election Phases and Candidate Lists

The first phase of elections covering 24 seats is scheduled for September 18. The final phase, covering 40 seats, will be held on October 1, with vote counting on October 4. Dubey was initially named in the list of 44 candidates issued on Monday but was replaced by Sharma in a revised list of 29 candidates issued on Tuesday.

As Raina arrived at the party office, he was met by slogan-shouting workers demanding an explanation for denying Dubey a ticket. "We know Dubey is a hardworking and dedicated member of the BJP whose family has been associated with the party for generations," Raina said while addressing the workers.

Party Unity and Future Plans

Raina's speech was frequently interrupted by workers demanding clarity on whether Dubey would receive a ticket. He eventually had to cut his speech short as workers stood up despite attempts by Dubey to pacify them. "Dubey is a dedicated worker whose family has supported the party since Jan Sangh days," Raina later told reporters.

Dubey intervened to remove the road blockade, stating that the party's decision had disappointed workers but it was not right to inconvenience commuters, including Vaishno Devi pilgrims. "What I am today is because of the party," Dubey told the gathering, adding that senior leaders from Delhi would arrive soon to clarify the party's decision.

"I do not know why my name was dropped after being included in the first list," Dubey said to reporters. "It is premature to say what I will do next. Whatever the party workers decide, I will respect their decision."

Former provincial president of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Jugal Kishore Sharma also met Dubey and expressed his support. "I am not affiliated with any party right now because I have left DPAP," Sharma said. "I felt happy for him when his name was listed in the BJP candidate list and decided not to fight against him."

The BJP stated that all leaders present showed their strength and commitment to winning in the region. Chugh emphasised that BJP is a disciplined party of ground-level workers who work together like a family. "Together we are strong, and BJP is set to make history in J&K Assembly elections," he said during Dubey’s visit.