Jahanzaib Sirwal, Congress’s Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson, joined the BJP on Thursday and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authorities for presenting a “new picture” of Kashmir earlier than the remainder of the nation and overseas.
Becoming a member of the BJP in New Delhi within the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and get together normal secretary Vinod Tawde, Sirwal expressed his appreciation of the PM for the abrogation of J&Ok’s particular standing underneath Article 370 of the Structure, saying the transfer had actually made the Union Territory the “crown of the nation”.
Recalling the troubles J&Ok went by means of within the Nineteen Nineties and subsequent years of hartals and stone pelting, Sirwal mentioned Modi’s authorities had put a verify on such incidents. “The best way the Modi authorities has introduced a brand new picture of Kashmir earlier than the nation and folks overseas has been the most important inspiration for youth,” he mentioned.
Whereas Siwal’s swap simply days earlier than Lok Sabha elections is seen as a setback to the Congress, particularly in Kishtwar district the place he’s from, senior get together leaders performed down its significance, saying he was not an vital chief.
Kishtwar comes underneath the Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha constituency, which fits to the polls on April 19 – the primary part of the upcoming election.
Whereas 12 candidates are within the fray from the seat, the principle contest is anticipated to be between the BJP and the Congress. Each events fielded candidates who’ve been two-time MPs from the constituency.
BJP’s candidate is sitting MP Jitendra Singh, a Union minister, who was elected from the constituency in 2014 and 2019. His rival, the Congress’s Choudhary Lal Singh, was an MP from there in each 2004 and 2009.