Jammu, Nov 3 (IANS) – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed senior leader Sat Sharma as the new president of its Jammu and Kashmir unit, replacing Ravinder Raina. The decision, approved by BJP National President J.P. Nadda, takes immediate effect, according to party sources. This change comes as the BJP ramps up its efforts to secure influence within the J&K Assembly, where it holds 29 seats.
Ravinder Raina, the outgoing J&K BJP president, recently lost his seat in the Nowshera constituency to National Conference (NC) candidate Surinder Choudhary, who is now Deputy Chief Minister in the NC-led coalition government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Raina will now serve on the BJP’s national working committee, supporting the party’s broader strategies and goals.
In the latest J&K Assembly elections, BJP won 29 out of 90 seats, primarily from the Jammu division. The NC emerged as the leading party with 42 seats, with Congress securing six, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) three, CPI (M) one, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) one, and People’s Conference (PC) one. Seven seats were won by independents, with six of these later joining the NC.
BJP’s new J&K leadership under Sat Sharma aims to counter the NC-led government’s initiatives. Shortly after assuming office, the NC-led coalition passed a resolution calling for the restoration of statehood to J&K. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has personally submitted this resolution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, marking a clear agenda for the government. The NC has also announced its intention to introduce a resolution to restore Article 370 in the upcoming Assembly session, in alignment with its campaign promises.
With Sat Sharma at the helm, BJP is focusing on consolidating its position in J&K, with an emphasis on the Jammu region. The party is also expected to intensify its outreach in the region to counter the NC-Congress pre-poll alliance’s influence, which has gained significant support, especially in tribal and reserved constituencies.
This leadership transition signifies BJP’s renewed commitment to addressing regional issues and retaining influence in the region as it gears up for future elections.