Srinagar, Feb 21: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday claimed a significant expansion of its organisational base in Kashmir as several prominent political leaders, grassroots representatives and former councillors from different parties formally joined the BJP at a high-profile event held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
The new entrants were welcomed by J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma, and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) J&K Ashok Koul, along with other senior party leaders.
Those joining the BJP included District Development Council (DDC) members Manzoor Ahmad Ganie (Aripal–Pulwama), Mansha Akhtar (Achgoza–Pulwama) and Mehmooda Akhtar (Shadimarg); former Srinagar Municipal Corporation corporators Danish Bhat and Nazir Gilkar; former BDC Chairman Altaf Mir; Khalid Rathore, Provincial President (Youth), Apni Party J&K; Aga Syed Abbas Rizvi,
State General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board and former DPAP State Secretary; former BMO Dr Yaseen-ul-Hussain Bhat; former NC Sarpanch Gulshan Begum; and Abdul Rashid Zargar, NC Block President Trehgam, Kupwara. Several leaders from the PDP, including Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Manzoor Ahmed Thakur and Mohd Ashraf Thakur from Srinagar district, also joined the BJP along with their supporters.
The joining programme was described by the BJP as one of the largest political inductions in recent months and a reflection of the party’s growing acceptance in the Valley.
Addressing the gathering, Sat Sharma said the decision of leaders from the National Conference, Congress, PDP, Apni Party and DPAP to join the BJP indicated rising public confidence in the party’s vision of development, transparent governance and grassroots empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the induction of experienced leaders and local representatives would strengthen the party’s outreach and connect with the people.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma termed the development a strong endorsement of the BJP’s policies and governance model. He said the joining of DDC members, former corporators and leaders from diverse political backgrounds demonstrated the party’s expanding influence in Kashmir and its commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy.
Ashok Koul said the steady influx of leaders and workers from other political platforms pointed to the BJP’s growing organisational strength and credibility in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the party’s disciplined cadre and development-oriented approach were increasingly resonating with the people.
