Srinagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate for the Habakadal assembly constituency, Ashok Kaul, and his supporters had a tough time today after some elderly residents took him head-on, asking him to explain his party’s stance on restoration of statehood to J&K.
The residents, mostly elders, asked the visiting BJP leader to explain what measures did his party take to restore statehood to J&K which was downgraded to a union territory on August 5, 2019.
Initiating a civil discourse, the obviously educated and English speaking elders, one of them puffing on a cigarette, questioned Bhat and his followers about what the BJP has done for Kashmir in the past 10 years.
“We shall cast our votes for a candidate who could address our issues and emotionally connect with us. Our state was demoted to a union territory five years ago and your party is on record to say that J&K will regain its statehood once things return to normal. Tell me now, what steps did your party take in this direction,” the residents asked the BJP leader, giving him a little room to respond.
Bhat is the BJP’s nominee for Habakadal assembly seat and the latter visited the constituency today to solicit public support for the upcoming assembly elections.
Shamima Firdous of National Conference and Arif Laigaroo of the Peoples Democratic Party will square off against Bhat in the second phase of elections slated on September 25.
Netizens also appreciated the residents’ candor in sharing their deepest feelings during their conversation with the BJP leader, video of which has gone viral on social media sites.
“Government installed smart meters in J&K while people reel under darkness. We are craving for a drop of water, and BJP plans to install smart water meters. J&K’s unemployment rate has hit a record high, and the BJP hasn’t done much to win over young people without jobs. Tell me, please, what J&K accomplished during the BJP’s ten-year tenure?” the elderly residents questioned.
When one of Bhat’s supporters confronted the old man, asking him to place his hand on his heart and swear that regional parties did not exploit Kashmiris for the past 72 years, he replied, “Gone are the days when politicians used to fool people. This is a new era of politics and people are well aware of everybodys’ political trickery!”
The BJP leader offered the elderly man a pat on his shoulder and appreciated him for his daring approach, pledging to adopt every promise, including those pertaining to development, employment, and the constitutional reforms on the ground.
