The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Thursday filed his nomination papers.

The nomination ceremony, held at the District Deputy Commissioner's office in Kathua, witnessed the presence of prominent BJP leaders, including the State President, Ravinder Raina, and the renowned wrestler, “The Great Khali" alias Dalip Singh.

Dr Jitendra Singh, contesting for the third time from the Udhampur seat, received overwhelming support from party members and supporters as he embarked on a roadshow through Kalibari, Kathua, leading up to the nomination venue. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as BJP enthusiasts danced to the rhythmic beats of drums.

As per the news agency KNO, after completing the formalities of filing his nomination, Dr Jitendra Singh proceeded to address a spirited rally at Ramlila Maidan in Kathua city.

Dr Singh, who previously served as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, has previously secured victory in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the same constituency. Prior to filing his nomination, Dr Singh commenced the day with a morning puja, seeking divine blessings for a successful campaign ahead.

As the deadline for nominations approaches on March 27, political fervour intensifies in the region. The scrutiny of nomination papers is slated for March 28, followed by the withdrawal of candidature by March 30. The Lok Sabha elections for the Udhampur seat are scheduled for April 19.

Meanwhile, in a significant development, former BJP-PDP government minister Chaudhary Lal Singh, a two-time MP, has returned to the Congress fold after nearly a decade. Lal Singh has expressed his intent to contest from the Udhampur seat.

SRINAGAR — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls on Saturday, naming Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishor Sharma to represent the Udhampur and Jammu constituencies respectively.

The announcement came as part of the party's first list of high-profile candidates for the upcoming general elections, finalized by the Central Election Committee late Thursday night and unveiled at a press conference in New Delhi.

This initial list, comprising 195 candidates, includes prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, among others.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP has endorsed Dr Jitendra Singh, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Udhampur, and Jugal Kishor Sharma, who currently represents the Jammu constituency. Both candidates secured victories in the 2019 elections.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has concluded its selection process for candidates vying for three significant seats in Kashmir, with the list of potential contenders forwarded to the party's head office for consideration by the parliamentary affairs panel.

Reliable sources within the BJP disclosed that the party has identified potential candidates for key constituencies in Kashmir. Darakshan Andrabi, Altaf Thakur, Ashok Bhat, and Arif Raja have emerged as potential contenders for the Central Kashmir Parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, the North Kashmir seat presents three potential candidates: Anwar Khan, Surinder Ambardar, and Fakir Muhammad Khan.

In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina has expressed his intent to contest. Notably, former National Conference MLC Shehaz Ganai, who recently joined the BJP in New Delhi, is also under consideration. Sources within the BJP speculate that Ganai may secure the party ticket for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, citing her familial legacy and widespread support base.

The J&K BJP leadership remains in close communication with the party's central leadership in New Delhi. A senior BJP leader affirmed that the list of candidates has been submitted to the parliamentary panel for review, with a final decision expected imminently to allow candidates ample time for campaigning.

Expressing confidence, the BJP aims to secure victory in all three Kashmir seats. The recent inclusion of prominent figures has injected renewed vigour into the party, with anticipation of further influential individuals joining in the coming days.

Preparations are also underway for the two seats in Jammu, with candidate selections nearing completion for submission to the BJP's parliamentary affairs panel in New Delhi.

MoS in PMO and incumbent MP, Dr Jitendera Singh is anticipated to be retained for the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha seat. However, for the Jammu seat, there is a possibility of incumbent MP Jugal Kishore being replaced. Former J&K Assembly speaker Kavinder Gupta and Devender Singh Rana are identified as primary contenders for the seat, according to BJP sources.

SRINAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on February 20 to kickstart a slew of development projects worth thousands of crores.

According to sources, he will address a rally in Jammu. In the latest employment drive by the government, Mr Modi will distribute 1.08 lakh appointment letters to youth via video conferencing across various Central government departments.

Union Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, will oversee the event from New Delhi, with three other Union Ministers distributing letters in Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh.

The PM's visit is expected to include the inauguration of projects like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Vijaypur, the highest railway bridge in Reasi, the Devika Rejuvenation project in Udhampur, and IIM Jammu, among others.

He will lay the foundation stones for several other development initiatives. While the train project to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country is still ongoing, there are plans to extend the service beyond Banihal to Khari, further reducing the distance between Kashmir and Jammu by rail.

SRINAGAR — Dr Shehnaz Ganie, the former member of the Legislative Council in Jammu and Kashmir who hails from Poonch, joined Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), on Monday.

Reports said that Shehnaz Ganie was currently in New Delhi and had already met several top-notch BJP leaders.

Dr Shehnaz Ganie told the news agency KNT that BJP National Secretary Tarun Chug and a Union Minister were present when she formally announced her joining the party in New Delhi.

“BJP does what it says. This party has fulfilled all the promises it made to the people. It gave Pahari Status to the deprived class. BJP worked for the safety of women and the welfare of people all across the country,” she said.

In response to a question, Dr Shehnaz Ganie said that it is a futile exercise to talk about Article 370. “I believe after the Supreme Court verdict, the chapter is closed now. Those political parties who still rake up this issue are agendaless and have nothing to offer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Shehnaz Ganie said.

National Conference had inducted her as a member of the legislative council and in 2019, she quit the party for the reasons better known to her.

“She left our party over five years ago. It’s wrong to connect with us,” said a National Conference leader, adding that she has nothing to do with the National Conference.

RAMBAN — Two persons were charred to death after a hotel caught fire in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

They said a hotel called ‘Maa Shanti’ in Sanasar tourist place caught fire, leading to the death of two persons and injuries to six others. The hotel was completely destroyed in the incident.

The cause of the fire is being ascertained while a magisterial inquiry headed by ADC Ramban has been ordered.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh, while expressing grief over the loss of life, tweeted, "Learnt about unfortunate fire incident at a hotel in Sanasar area of district Ramban, in which two persons died and 5 injured. I'm in touch with DC, Mussarat Islam. All possible help being provided to the injured who are being shifted out for better medical care. Further assistance also be provided as required. My condolences with the bereaved families.”

The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the fire incident in Ramban. He has conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the kin of those who have died in incident and the injured.

"Anguished by the loss of lives due to fire incident at a hotel in Sanasar. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Lt. Governor said.

The Lt. Governor has spoken to the Deputy Commissioner and directed him to render all assistance to the kin of victims.

NEW DELHI — Union Minister of State (MoS) Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that the Central government is working towards making electricity free in Jammu and Kashmir in the next 4-5 years by installing solar plants, reported ANI.

The BJP leader, who is in the UT to review the security and other preparedness for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to J&K this month, added that Jammu and its power mechanism will become a role model for other states amid the chaos regarding the inflation.

“After 4-5 years, electricity will be free. So on one side, where there's so much chaos regarding the inflation, Jammu will become a role model depicting the alternatives we have,” ANI quoted Singh as saying.

About how the NDA government is planning to make this happen, Singh added, “We'll display new innovation and tech in rural development in this region, promoting agricultural startups. Work of installing solar plants worth around Rs 2.45 cr will finish in 1-2 days and by April 17-18, 340 households will receive electricity via solar power.”

The leader made the statements from the Palli Panchayat in Samba to review preparations ahead of PM Modi’s visit on April 24. The prime minister is set to address all the panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir from Pali.

About Modi’s visit, the Prime Minister will visit Jammu and Kashmir on April 24, which is going to be his first since the erstwhile state was stripped of its special status in August 2019 and bifurcated into two Union Territories.

JAMMU — Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Jammu on Thursday evening for a two-day visit.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Shah, who is also Union Minister for Co-operation of India was welcomed by Union Minister and Member Parliament from Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency Dr Jatinder Singh and Member Parliament from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency Jugal Kishor Sharma at Technical Airport Jammu.

Sources said that from the airport Union Home Minister left for Raj Bhawan, where he scheduled to chair a high-level meeting with the top brass of the Army, Jammu Kashmir Police, Para Military Forces.

The meeting will be attended by Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, senior officials from the Civil and Police departments.

Sources said that at a high-level meeting, the Home Minister will discuss the blueprint of the upcoming Amarnath Ji Yatra, which will likely resume after 2019. Sources said that the Union Government is likely to invest more energy in the resumption of the yatra. The Union Home Minister along with civil administration and security forces will chalk out strategies to make this year’s yatra smooth and incident-free.

Sources further said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a meeting with top security brass regarding current security challenges and upcoming summer’s plans for Kashmir.

In the morning, Amit Shah will attend the 83rd Raising Day of the Central Reserve Police Forces, which this time will take place at MA Stadium, Jammu unlikely in Delhi like past practice, sources said.

The Union Home Minister will also visit Mahanpur area of Kathua district where High-Security Prison will come up.

Sources said that Amit Shah will be holding a third meeting later in the evening before leaving for New Delhi.