Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is battling with internal crisis after the party leaders have raised the banner of revolt against what they termed “discriminatory approach and step-motherly treatment” by the leadership in winter capital.
The cracks within the party unit came to fore when Valley leaders held a crucial meeting at a hotel here on Wednesday to discuss the “future course of action” to deal with “discriminatory approach and step-motherly treatment”.
The party has over 120 members from Kashmir Valley.
The leaders who participated in the meeting included Sofi Yousuf, Altaf Thakur, Asif Masoodi, Manzoor Bhat, Hina Shafi Bhat, Javaid Qureshi GM Mir, Arif Raja, Hilal Parray, Anwar Khan, Ashok Bhat and others.
Two days after the Valley leaders held a closed-door meeting; State President Ravinder Raina issued an official order, outlining the adjustments to the party’s leadership roles in the region to “douse off” the flames.
Raina relieved Abhijeet Jasrotia of his position as BIP’s Social Media Prabhari for J&K, while Vir Saraf was recalled from his current post in South Kashmir. Similarly, Mudasir Wani was also recalled from his duties in North Kashmir and directed to report to BJP Headquarters in Jammu.
However, sources said that the Kashmir unit is not satisfied with the changes and are looking forward to meeting the top leadership in New Delhi.
According to sources, some prominent members are actively considering their resignation from the party’s basic membership if their grievances are not addressed. The dissent group feels that the Jammu unit doesn’t give them their due place in the party.
Sources from BJP told Kashmir Observer that the group feels that they don’t get due credit in the party as the leaders from Jammu get.
“They are demanding sharing of posts in the party equally among both the divisions (Jammu and Kashmir),” said a senior leader, wishing not to be named.
The existing party structure, according to BJP sources in the UT includes 8 posts of Vice Presidents, One General Secretary, 8 Secretaries, 8 spokesperson and other low profile posts.
Giving a detailed break-up of the party’s organizational structure in UT, sources said, out of 8 VP’s, seven are from Jammu and one from Kashmir. Similarly, 7 Secretaries are from Jammu and one from Kashmir.
The party General Secretary is also from Jammu, sources said, adding that out of nine spokespersons, five, including chief spokesperson are from Jammu while the Valley has four.
“The Valley leaders want all the party posts to be shared equally between the two divisions. However, the Jammu unit is raising objections saying that they provided 25 MLA’s in the last assembly elections while the Valley gave none,” said one of the leaders.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, Altaf Thakur, BJP spokesperson said the reports of resigning from the party aren’t true but there are some demands that have been put forward to the top leadership.
“We met the party president a few days ago and he has assured us that all the demands will be addressed. The party stands with us,” Thakur said.
Notably, party president Ravinder Raina reached Srinagar and met the agitating party men in the Valley to calm down the tempers.
Thakur said they had lost many men to militancy and had joined the party when no one was willing to join.
“The party has given us a positive response so there is no scope of resignation,” he added.
However, sources said that the disgruntled Valley leaders will approach the top leadership in New Delhi, if their grievances aren’t met.
According to sources, the BJP government at the Centre is likely to send a delegation led by BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh to meet the disgruntled BJP members on August 13.
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