Party time for BJP in Jammu

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23

Fuelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign, BJP delivered its best ever performance in Jammu and Kashmir and bagged 25 of the 87 seats.

While BJP workers planned a grand celebration in Jammu, Congress leaders chose to remain indoors after the loss. The day began with celebrations at the BJP office in Jammu, as trends emerged in favour of the party. Thousands of workers and supporters gathered outside the counting centre holding BJP flags with drum beaters and crackers to celebrate the victory of their leaders.

BJP won nine of the 11 seats in Jammu district; however two seats went to Omar Abdullah’s National Conference.

“Winning 25 seats is a big achievement for the BJP and all credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, president Amit Shah and his team,” said Sushil Sharma, a BJP supporter outside the counting centre in Jammu.

There are eleven Assembly constituencies in Jammu district, out of which BJP won Jammu East, Jammu West, Gandhi Nagar, Akhnoor, Raipur Domana, Suchetgarh, Chhamb, Marh and RS Rura. The National Conference won Bishnah and Nagrota.

BJP winners: Rajesh Gupta, Kavinder Gupta, Satpal Sharma, Bali Bhagat and others were accorded a warm welcome in their respective constituencies. All the winners along with their supporters came to the party headquarter to pay tributes to former national chief of Bharatiya Jana Sangh Prem Nath Dogra.

Meanwhile, the Congress office wore a deserted look as leaders Sham Lal Sharma from Akhnoor and Raman Bhalla from Gandhi Nagar lost from their respective constituencies.