Mission Kashmir: BJP faces crisis; denies tickets to 7 of its sitting MLAs

SRINAGAR: Notwithstanding massive preparations to achieve its Mission Kashmir, the BJP is facing a crisis within. BJP has denied tickets to seven of its 10 members in the assembly, and some of them have now turned against the party. In the past few days, two of its sitting MLAs defected to other parties while another is contesting independently.

Basholi MLA Jagdish Raj Sapolia joined Congress after BJP named Choudhary Lal Singh its candidate for the seat. Singh, a former Congress minister and two-time MP, moved to the saffron party after Congress denied him a ticket this time. Sapolia’s counterpart in Hira Nagar, Durga Dass, joined the Panthers Party. Master Lal Chand, who was representing Bani in the assembly, is contesting independently.

Reports from Jammu suggest that its Reasi representative Baldev Raj Sharma is seeking mandate from the People’s Democratic Party. In case he fails to get a ticket, he might contest as independent. Girdhari Lal Baghat, who was initially tipped to be the BJP candidate from Ramban, was denied the ticket at the last moment. He joined the National Conference.

The BJP is facing crisis in Udhampur, Billawar, Khour and Akhnoor, too. In some constituencies, party cadres are against “thrusting” non-local candidates when local talent is available. The situation has led the party to send senior leaders to pacify the disgruntled lot. Some of them have been promised berths in the legislative council once the elections are over. They include Raipur Damana MLA Bharat Bushan.

A party insider however told ET the media was reading too much into the so-called dissidence.