Jammu, April 07, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, in Gandhinagar, Jammu, on Monday afternoon. The visit, part of Shah’s ongoing three-day tour of the Union Territory, underscores the BJP’s focus on strengthening its organizational presence and addressing security concerns in the region.
Shah’s arrival at Sharma’s residence in Gandhinagar, a prominent locality in Jammu, follows a series of engagements since he landed in the city on Sunday evening, April 6. The Home Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, his first since the formation of the National Conference-led government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in October 2024, has been marked by high-level meetings and a focus on both security and party strategy. Earlier on Monday, Shah was scheduled to meet families of Jammu and Kashmir Police martyrs at Raj Bhavan and distribute appointment letters to those selected on compassionate grounds, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting security personnel.
The meeting at Sunil Sharma’s residence is seen as a strategic move to bolster the BJP’s position in the region, where Sharma, as Leader of Opposition, plays a pivotal role. Sources indicate that the discussion likely centered on recent security developments, including a spike in terror activities, and the party’s response to the ruling National Conference’s policies. Sharma, a vocal BJP leader, has previously emphasized the importance of Shah’s visit to address emerging threats, particularly in the border district of Kathua, which the Home Minister is set to visit later during his tour.
Gandhinagar, Jammu, known for its political significance, provided a fitting backdrop for this high-profile visit. Shah’s presence at Sharma’s residence comes a day after he chaired a closed-door meeting with BJP legislators at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, where he reportedly guided them on countering the National Conference’s narrative on issues like the revocation of Article 370 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Home Minister’s engagement with Sharma, a key figure in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, signals continued efforts to unify the party’s stance amid a challenging political landscape.
The visit has drawn significant attention, with security measures heightened across Jammu. Shah’s itinerary also includes a review of development projects and a security assessment in Srinagar on Tuesday, April 8, before his return to New Delhi. His interactions with BJP leaders like Sharma are expected to shape the party’s approach in the Union Territory, particularly in the Jammu region, where the BJP secured all 28 of its seats in the recent assembly elections.
As of 5:16 PM IST on Monday, no official statement had been released detailing the specifics of the discussion at Sharma’s residence. However, political observers anticipate that the meeting addressed both immediate security priorities and long-term strategies for the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah’s visit to Gandhinagar reinforces his active role in overseeing the region’s stability, a responsibility he has consistently emphasized as Home Minister.