Union Home Minister Amit Shah will kickstart the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections by releasing the party’s manifesto in Jammu on September 6. Shah’s two-day visit to J&K is seen as crucial as it comes amid growing challenges for the BJP, including protests and defections by leaders upset over ticket distribution for the three-phase polls starting September 18.
Shah will arrive in Jammu on September 6 afternoon and release the party’s manifesto, known as “Sankalp Patra”, at around 4 pm. Multi-tier security arrangements, including sniffer dogs, have been put in place at the Ritz Hotel where the manifesto launch is likely to take place. The next day, Shah is scheduled to address a workers’ rally, most probably at the Manhas Biradari ground in Paloura.
The Union Home Minister’s visit assumes significance as it will formally launch the BJP’s high-voltage campaigning for the assembly polls. Shah is expected to interact with party leaders to get feedback on the political scenario, BJP’s election preparedness, and issues related to ticket distribution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, and other BJP star campaigners like Smriti Irani are likely to visit the Chenab Valley region for campaigning in the second week of September. The first phase of elections on September 18 will cover three districts of Chenab Valley – Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban.
The BJP has so far released lists of 51 candidates for the upcoming polls, facing some resentment within the party over ticket allocation. Senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur will address an election rally in Kishtwar on September 5, a day before Shah’s visit, in support of party candidates.