Former Jammu and Kashmir MLC and National Conference (NC) leader Shahnaz Ganai on Monday joined the BJP in a blow to the Farooq Abdullah-led party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Ganai joined the BJP at a ceremony attended by the party’s National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and BJP national spokesman Zafar Islam.
Ganai said the BJP-led central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot of good work for the people and she has been impressed with his philosophy of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas‘.
She specifically highlighted the recent landmark achievement of securing a long-awaited reservation for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community in Jammu and Kashmir and praised the BJP for its dedication to addressing the needs and aspirations of the people in the Union Territory (UT).
“We will work together to ensure a hat-trick (of win) for PM Modi,” Ganai said, referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Lauding the development in “new” Jammu and Kashmir, Ganai said people wanted to strengthen the presence of PM Modi and the BJP in the UT.
“PM Modi’s presence has ensured that Pakistan does not dare to foment trouble in border areas and people there live peacefully, she said.
Her father, Ghulam Ahmed Ganai, was a minister in Jammu and Kashmir.
Welcoming Ganai to the BJP, Chugh said she would be an asset to the party.
He expressed optimism regarding the party’s future trajectory in the region and alluded to the possibility of more prominent figures from Jammu and Kashmir deciding to align themselves with the BJP in the future.
Chugh reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to expediting the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the party’s meticulous and comprehensive preparations across all districts of the region.
“We cannot overlook the transformative and inclusive governance agenda spearheaded by PM Modi in Jammu and Kashmir. Under his leadership, we have witnessed significant strides in dismantling entrenched political dynasties, ushering in a new era of participatory and people-centric governance,” he said.
“This is a testament to the BJP’s commitment to fostering positive change and inclusivity in the region,” he further said.
(with inputs from PTI)