JAMMU: Union Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a higher vote share than the ruling National Conference (NC) and other parties in last year’s Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections but could not form the government due to the “number game.”
Speaking to reporters after distributing laptops to meritorious girl students of Class 10th from his Parliamentary constituency, Dr. Singh said, “As democracy is a number game, our party could not form the government though our vote share was much higher than that of the ruling NC and others. This is an encouraging sign, showing BJP’s growing popularity in the Union Territory.”
Expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming Nagrota and Budgam by-elections scheduled for November 11, Dr. Singh said the Nagrota contest is one-sided while the party is “comfortable” in Budgam.
“Nagrota is a safe seat for the party, which we had won last time also. After the unfortunate demise of Devender Rana, the seat fell vacant, but BJP will win it hands down again. We are also comfortable in Budgam, and our Assembly tally will reach 30,” he said.
Calling Nagrota a traditional BJP stronghold, Dr. Singh recalled that the party had won the seat in 2002, 2008, and 2024, adding, “We will win it again.”
Asked if BJP would increase its victory margin this time, Dr. Singh said, “It’s a hypothetical question, and I don’t answer hypothetical questions. However, Nagrota is a cakewalk for us.”
On the party’s poll agenda, the Union Minister said, “Development and total integration of Kashmir with India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership will be our main poll plank.”
He added that BJP treats every election — Parliament, Assembly, DDC, Panchayat, or local bodies — as equally important, underscoring the party’s consistent commitment to democratic participation.
