Tensions within the Jammu & Kashmir branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to the forefront recently as the party announced the removal of three office bearers amid reports of disquiet and disagreements among its ranks.
Late on Friday, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina issued a communication detailing the changes in the party’s leadership. Social media head Abhijeet Jasrotia, who was previously associated with the Peoples Democratic Party, has been relieved from his position and will no longer be handling responsibilities in the Kashmir region, according to the communication.
In addition, party operations overseers Vir Saraf and Mudasir Wani, responsible for South and North Kashmir respectively, have been called back to the party headquarters in Jammu.
The friction within the party became evident earlier in the week when a group of BJP leaders convened at a Srinagar hotel to express their dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership. The leaders reportedly declined to meet Raina initially but eventually did so later on, presenting their grievances and demands. One of their main concerns was the influence exerted by certain leaders from the Jammu region over party affairs in Kashmir.
Raina, in response to the disgruntled leaders, assured them of addressing their concerns and grievances. However, he advised them not to discuss these matters with the media.
Altaf Thakur, J&K BJP spokesperson and one of the aggrieved party members, disclosed that the leadership has instructed them not to communicate with the media.
The disaffected leaders are planning to meet with the party’s general secretary, who is responsible for J&K affairs, to further emphasize their issues. Raina previously stated that the issues with the dissatisfied workers and leaders had been resolved, but a majority of long-standing party members from Kashmir remain frustrated with the top leadership, particularly those in prominent positions within the state.
The latest reshuffling of leadership roles within the J&K BJP reflects the ongoing internal tensions and power struggles that have marred the party’s operations in the region.
The Chenab Times News Desk