Northlines Correspondent
Jammu Tawi: In a move that has sparked significant controversy and raised eyebrows among political circles, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come under scrutiny for its decision to repeat sitting Members of Parliament from the Jammu region from Jammu- Poonch Lok Sabha Constituency and Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Lok Sabha Constituency in its recently issued first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. This repetition has led many to question whether the BJP is taking the people of Jammu region for granted, neglecting their sentiments and aspirations.
The decision to field the same Member of Parliament from Jammu region for the forthcoming elections has not only drawn criticism from the general public but has also caused discontent within the BJP ranks itself. Veteran party workers and grassroots supporters, who nurtured the party in hard times, have voiced their dissatisfaction, emphasizing the need for fresh faces and greater representation of local interests.
Even this sharp criticism has also been echoed across social media platforms, with users expressing frustration and disappointment over the BJP’s decision.
“The BJP’s decision to repeat sitting MPs from the Jammu region reflects a disregard for the expectations of the constituents,” remarked a party insider who preferred to remain anonymous. “It sends a message that the party is prioritizing constancy over performance and accountability.”
Pertinently, the BJP has chosen to field 71 per cent of its sitting MPs in the first list of 195 Lok Sabha candidates which was issued here a few days ago.
There is no iota of doubt that the Jammu region has been a stronghold for the BJP in recent years, contributing significantly to the party’s electoral success in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019.
In the 2014 Assembly elections, the BJP secured 25 seats and three Lok Sabha seats, first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, establishing itself as the second-largest political party in the erstwhile state. Similarly, in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP once again clinched three seats, namely Jugal Kishore Sharma, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Namgyal from Ladakh.
However, critics argue that despite the significant success of BJP in 2014 and 2019 Parliamentary elections in J&K, the sitting MPs have failed to live up to the expectations of the people and have done little to highlight in terms of significant achievements or notable works during their tenure. Except for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi or highlighting the achievement of PM Modi in every political rally and party workers’ convention, these sitting Members of Parliament have nothing to showcase to the people regarding their achievements during their tenure of the last 10 years.
The sentiment of the people of the Jammu region, who had hoped for fresh faces and new perspectives in the upcoming elections, has been disregarded. The sentiment stems from the perception that the current sitting MPs have failed to adequately represent the aspirations and address the concerns of the people of the Jammu region at the Parliament.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether the people of the Jammu region will voice their discontent and give a resounding reply to the BJP’s decision to rely on the popularity of PM Modi rather than focusing on the specific needs and aspirations of the region. The stakes are high, and the party’s strategy will be put to the test in the upcoming polls.
