ASSEMBLY POLL 2024: BJP fields kin of slain party leader from Kishtwar seat

Jammu, August 26

Shagun Parihar, who lost her father and uncle to terrorism, is set to contest the upcoming Assembly poll in the first phase from the Kishtwar constituency. Shagun’s father Ajit Parihar, and her uncle and senior BJP leader Anil Parihar were killed in a 2018 terrorist attack in the mountainous Kishtwar district.

The only woman among the 16 candidates announced by the BJP for the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, Shagun has a Master’s degree in engineering. With peace and security, the two issues closest perhaps to her heart, on top of her priority list, her decision to contest is also governed by issues such as jobs and empowerment of women.

While talking to the media, Shagun said she was not contesting the election for her family members who were killed by terrorists. “I am contesting the poll for all families, especially those of martyred security personnel.”

Shagun said she was not involved in active politics so far even as her uncle was senior BJP leader of the district, but worked sometimes at the grass root level as a student. She expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership for fielding her as a candidate from the Kishtwar Assembly constituency set to go to polls in the first phase of elections.

Shagun said the security of people living in mountainous and far-off regions of the J&K was her foremost priority. “Security is my topmost concern. Ensuring safety, security and peace is essential for development and progress. Therefore, my focus will be on ensuring peace, security and progress in the region,” she stated.

As the only woman in the BJP’s list of candidates, Shagun expressed confidence that the people of Kishtwar would support her journey towards empowering the region. “Every resident of Kishtwar will guide and support me in advancing the area’s development. This is an emotional moment. The BJP is a large party that cares for all its members as a family,” she added.