JK polls: BJP trims first list of candidates from 44 to 16 amid internal rumblings
Jammu/New Delhi, Aug 26: The BJP on Monday issued a list of 16 candidates for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, considerably pruning an initial list of 44 names following protests by some party cadre who alleged that "parachute candidates" were favoured over dedicated workers.
The original list, which included candidates for 36 segments in the Jammu region and eight in the Kashmir Valley, sparked significant dissatisfaction among party workers.
A group of disgruntled members protested at the BJP headquarters in Jammu.
While Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina attempted to downplay the discontent, the protests highlighted a growing rift within the party ranks.
Some angry BJP workers from different assembly constituencies staged a protest at the party headquarters over the leadership "ignoring" hardworking workers and giving the mandate to "parachute candidates".
Jagdish Bhagat, president of the BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha, asserted that long-time members of the party felt overlooked.
"I have been associated with the party for the last 18 years and have worked day and night to strengthen it but the mandate was given to a person who joined the party only a few days back," Bhagat said.
Welcoming the withdrawal of the initial list, he said, "We hope that party leaders would be given the mandate instead of those who have done nothing for the party.
"If they ignore us, there will be serious consequences. We will not allow any wrongdoing and will protest against this injustice within the party," he added.
The revised list of candidates includes three former MLAs and Shagun Parihar, a woman candidate whose family has faced violence due to their political affiliations. Her father and uncle were killed by terrorists in Kishtwar district in November 2018.
Other notable candidates in the list are former ministers Sunil Sharma and Shakti Raj Parihar from the Jammu region and BJP vice president Sofi Yousuf from the Kashmir Valley.
Former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh was among the prominent leaders dropped by the BJP.
On the internal rumblings within the Jammu and Kashmir BJP, party unit chief Raina said, "The BJP is fully prepared for the elections... our mission is ensuring the victory of our party."
He assured that the names of candidates for the second and third phases of the Jammu and Kashmir elections would be announced shortly.
BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi echoed Raina's sentiments.
"There is no heartburn or confusion. We should not make any presumptions and wait for the fresh lists," he said.
As of now, 14 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the first phase of elections. August 27 is the last date for filing nominations for the first phase.
The process of filing nominations for the second and third phases will begin on August 29 and September 5, respectively.
The counting of votes for the elections will be taken up on October 4.
In the last assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, when it was a full-fledged state, the BJP had won 25 seats.
The BJP is looking on build on its performance as it faces a rejuvenated challenge from the Congress-National Conference alliance, particularly in the Jammu region.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
