Fear of defeat keeps BJP away from sham Lok Sabha elections in IIOJK
Islamabad: India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision not to field candidates in the so-called Lok Sabha elections in the UN-disputed territory of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has drawn criticism from critics.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this move, the first of its kind in 28 years, comes at a time when the BJP has been boasting a normalcy mantra in the Kashmir valley following the abrogation of Article 370.
Critics suggest that the absence of BJP candidates reflects a fear of potential defeat in the Muslim-majority territory.
National Conference vice President Omar Abdullah questions BJP’s absence, says gap between claims and Kashmir’s actual situation.
AJK cabinet minister, Imtiaz Naseem, highlighted in a media interview that Modi’s party’s reluctance to field candidates could stem from apprehension of backlash from the Kashmiri people. This development has sparked a debate, adding a new dimension to the complex political landscape of the territory.
