Srinagar, March 13, 2025 – The Bharatiya Janata Party is witnessing a surge in support across Kashmir, with significant strides in the Anantnag district, according to Ashok Koul, General Secretary (Organisation) of BJP Jammu & Kashmir. Koul made these remarks amid ongoing efforts by the party to expand its foothold in the Kashmir Valley, a region where it has historically faced challenges in gaining widespread acceptance.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Koul highlighted the party’s growing popularity, pointing to recent membership drives and public engagement initiatives as evidence. “BJP is on the rise in Kashmir,” he stated, adding that Anantnag, a key area in South Kashmir, has seen “major progress” in terms of local support for the party’s vision. While specific figures were not disclosed, Koul’s comments echo earlier statements from January 17, 2025, when he noted that thousands of people were joining the BJP, with membership forms handed over in Srinagar as a testament to this trend.
The BJP’s efforts in Kashmir come in the wake of the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, a move the party has consistently framed as a catalyst for development and integration in the Union Territory. Koul emphasized that the party’s focus on governance, security, and economic opportunities is resonating with residents. “People are seeing the work we are doing and the promises we are fulfilling,” he said.
In Anantnag, a district with a complex political history, the BJP’s progress could signal a shift in voter sentiment, though independent verification of these claims remains limited. The party has been actively organizing workshops and meetings across Jammu and Kashmir, including a notable event on February 28, 2025, where senior leaders reiterated their commitment to equitable development for both regions of the Union Territory.
However, Koul’s assertions come amid a polarized political landscape. While the BJP secured 29 seats in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections—all from the Jammu region—its influence in the Kashmir Valley has been less pronounced, with regional parties like the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party retaining significant sway. Critics argue that the BJP’s claims of growing support may overstate its grassroots impact in Kashmir, where resentment over central policies persists among some sections of the population.
Koul also addressed a recent controversy surrounding a cultural event in Gulmarg, distancing the BJP from what he called “vulgar shows.” “We have never supported such events and demand answers from the Chief Minister,” he said, referring to an incident that sparked public debate earlier this week.
As the BJP prepares for the upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, set to begin later this month, Koul expressed confidence that the party’s legislators would continue to advocate for the people’s interests. Whether this translates into tangible electoral gains in Kashmir remains to be seen, but for now, the BJP appears determined to project an image of momentum in the region.