BJP finds an all-weather ally in Sopore’s Mohammad Akbar

SOPORE: Friends of 50-year-old Mohammad Akbar call him a ‘turncoat’ for joining BJP. A businessman from North Kashmir’s Sopore, Akbar became part of the BJP in June during the party’s membership drive. After the NDA government scrapped Article 370, Akbar has become one of the rare voices to support PM Narendra Modi’s decision to end the special status of J&K.

Speaking to ET, Akbar said: “There are problems in the Valley but this has been due to the policies followed by the consecutive government for the past 50 years. What is the significance of 370? If I do not want to sell my land, no one can force me. Electricity poles, mobile towers, Railway lines and so many other facilities that the government gave to the people of J&K came without using Article 370. This is more to do with sentiments of Kashmiris that needs to be addressed.”

Although Akabar supported abrogation of Article 370 but he is unhappy with the restrictions and communication blockade enforced by the central government. “After joining BJP two months back, I have managed to bring at least 10 more people. Unlike NC and PDP, BJP is a cadre based party which thinks about the well-being of its citizens.


They should understand the problems being faced by the common people in the Valley due to communication blockade. Business is suffering, children cannot go to school,” he said.

Considered as the apple town of Kashmir valley, Sopore is a hotbed of separatists and militancy. During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sopore assembly segment, which is part of Baramulla Lok Sabha seat in north Kashmir, recorded a vote share of little above 4 percent, according to official data.