After Jammu, BJP trying to gain ground in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR: After a good show in Jammu region in recent Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is trying to gain ground in Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley roping in several members of the community into its fold.

Last month, over two dozen Muslims, including women, belonging to various political outfits, joined the BJP, party leaders said. Among the new entrants was daughter of Muhammad Shafi Bhat, a former National Conference legislator from Srinagar, BJP state vice-president Ramesh Arora said.

Hina Bhat, a dental surgeon, joined the BJP in presence of party's national general secretary J P Nadda here. Bhat said the failure of regional parties in delivering governance and justice to the people forced her to join the BJP.

"I am satisfied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kashmir policy. When he was asked about the issue, his reply was clear that he sees Kashmir through the prism of humanity," she said. Valley-based journalist Khalid Jehangir and IGP (retd)_ Farooq Ahmad Khan had joined the party at a rally in Jammu before the elections.

"People know that our focus is on development of Jammu and Kashmir. We are very clear on this," Arora told PTI. He said there have been many misconceptions about the BJP especially in the Valley, and the party is "moving forward to set them right".