BJP's Ram Madhav dismisses rumours of alliance with NC

'We are not in talks with anybody'

Jammu: BJP’s in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir elections, Ram Madhav dispelled rumours of the BJP seeking an alliance with the National Conference (NC) or any other party.
In an interview with News Channel, Madhav said, “We are not in talks with anybody,”, expressing confidence in the BJP's ability to inch closer to a majority in the upcoming polls.
Notably, the BJP, NC and People's Democratic Party (PDP) were in talks for an alliance after the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls in 2014. However, only the BJP and PDP formed an alliance in 2015, and ended in 2018 due to differences over governance and policy issues.
"In 2014, there was a peculiar situation where there was only a possibility of BJP-NC or BJP-PDP coming together to form the government. That time, yes, the talks did take place with both NC and PDP, which finally led to the BJP-PDP forming the government. However, right now, no such thing is happening. We are very confident that we will inch closer to the majority mark, whatever is short; for that, we will see who will have the seats to come with us and form the government," he stated.
Ram Madhav also reiterated his party's commitment to restoring statehood to the region, stating that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have firmly promised to fulfil this pledge.
However, when pressed on a specific timeline, Madhav pointed to Parliament as the only body capable of providing a concrete answer, adding that the commitment was made on the floor of the Parliament as early as August 6, 2019.
Madhav emphasised the government's unwavering dedication to restoring statehood, dismissing concerns about a delay in the process. “There is complete commitment to that promise... the Prime Minister said we will do it as early as it is possible,” Madhav said, referencing PM Modi’s latest speech in Srinagar, where he again assured the people that statehood will be restored.
When questioned about potential dissatisfaction in Jammu following the abrogation of Article 370, particularly regarding land rights and employment, Madhav brushed aside opposition claims.
He targeted the Congress, accusing its leaders of treating the election as a "tourism" opportunity rather than engaging with the electorate.
"Congress leaders were addressing rallies from their mobile phones, unwilling to travel even half an hour by road," Madhav quipped, contrasting this with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s extensive road journeys to rally the people.
Madhav's remarks came in reference to the Congress’s campaigns in Jammu, labelling their efforts as lacklustre and disconnected. "That’s what people in Jammu felt. The Congress was lazy," he added.