Will the BJP’s backing give strength to the lifeless engine of the Apni party’s vehicle in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat? Pahari-Gujjar issue played its role
POONCH TODAY NEWS
POONCH: After witnessing 53% polling on May 25th, the people of Anantnag-Rajouri constituency are eagerly waiting for the final result on June 4th, and the countdown to the result has started. The Apni Party is considered the weakest party in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, with mostly no strong cadre on the ground. Before the support of the BJP for the Apni party, the contest was projected on some social media platforms to be between the NC and PDP only, but the BJP’s decision to stay away from the elections directly and back the Apni party changed the dynamics.
Political pundits believe that whatever vote the Apni party gets, the BJP will have a big share of 80:20 (80% of BJP votes and 20% of Apni party votes) alone from Poonch and Rajouri districts. The way the BJP fully utilized its energy for the Apni party candidate Zaffer Manhas, political pundits are still confused on what forced the BJP to stay away from the elections directly. The election for this seat, which passed off peacefully, was fought mainly on the issue of Gujjars and Paharis. As per reports, a considerable percentage of Gujjar voters voted in favor of NC, while the Pahari votes were distributed between the Apni party and the PDP, with a small percentage in favor of NC. Although the BJP tried its best to fulfill all the demands of Gujjars and Paharis, it would be interesting to see who remained faithful to the BJP, mostly Paharis or Gujjars. In the 2014 and 2019 elections, Gujjar voters in huge numbers voted against the BJP in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Even after that, the BJP leadership tried its best to please the Gujjar community by all means. On the other hand, Paharis got their demand for ST status fulfilled. Before the elections, the BJP wanted to take both Paharis and Gujjars on board, but insiders in the BJP camp told “POONCH TODAY” that the BJP leadership got on the ground details that after the ST status to Paharis, Gujjars voters in maximum percentage decided to vote against the BJP, and this was one of the many points that forced the BJP to stay out of the contest directly. Earlier, the names of Ravinder Raina and a serving IAS officer were on the BJP’s list for this seat, but the top brass of the BJP decided to stay away from the elections and support the Apni party. Had the BJP decided to field its candidate in this seat, the BJP would have won the seat easily, according to political observers. Paharis in large numbers were ready to support the BJP, but when the BJP decided to support the Apni party candidate, a huge chunk of Paharis became confused. Now, how many Paharis and Gujjars voted for the BJP-supported candidate of the Apni party? This will be cleared after the final result on June 4. Earlier, the Apni party was considered a lifeless political vehicle in this seat, but the BJP gave some strength with its support to Apni party candidate Zaffer Manhas. Will the BJP’s backing give strength to the lifeless engine of the Apni party’s vehicle in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat or not? Only time will tell.