Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 8 : Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he called the party's best performance so far in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
The BJP has secured 29 seats, with Singh indicating the party may win even more as counting continues.
"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have delivered its best performance so far. The way our results are coming in, we have reached 29 seats, and we could go even further. Moreover, it is both coincidental and satisfying that we fought this election solely on the issue of development," said Singh.
He credited the public welfare schemes introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their 'success'. "We went to the people with the message of the public welfare schemes brought to this region by Prime Minister Modi, and how effectively they were implemented on the ground", he said.
Singh emphasised that the BJP's campaign aimed to rise above caste, religion, and sectarian divisions. "Under Modi's leadership and guidance, we fought this election with a new approach and culture," he said, adding that programs like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana transformed many temporary houses into permanent ones, without considering the religion or caste of the beneficiary.
"It was never asked whether the beneficiary was Hindu, Muslim, Thakur, or Brahmin. In this inclusive manner, the leadership Modi Ji provided over the last ten years became the message we carried into this election" the Union Minister added.
Singh then compared the BJP's 'inclusive' approach with that of the INDIA bloc, which he claimed had elements of polarisation. "The BJP fought inclusively, focusing on nationalism and balanced development for all regions without discrimination," he said.
Regarding Congress's performance, Singh added, "Congress has been thoroughly wiped out here, just like in Haryana."
Singh in his address also stated that BJP workers would continue to implement Modi's development schemes and ensure Jammu and Kashmir plays a key role in India's growth leading up to 2047.
According to the ECI's official website in the J-K Legislative Assembly elections, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) emerged as the leading party, winning 41 seats and leading in one more.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) followed with 27 seats and is leading in two more.