BJP will not forge pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir: Ravinder Raina

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ravinder Raina said here that the BJP will not form any pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, he said discussions were on with 8 to 10 independents from the Kashmir Valley to contest the elections together.

He said the party was fully prepared for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections and would announce the first list of candidates soon.

“The BJP will not form an alliance with any party in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the polls,” Raina told reporters here.

“We are in talks with eight to 10 independent candidates from the Kashmir Valley. If these discussions materialize, we will work out a strategy for a joint campaign,” he said.

He said the BJP will field candidates in the Kashmir Valley and win the elections with a majority.

“We will contest majority seats in Jammu and Kashmir. However, we are working on a strategy to contest jointly with some independent candidates from Kashmir (valley),” he said.

“BJP will achieve a big victory in J&K and will form the government in the Union Territory.” On former minister Chaudhry Zulfikar Ali joining the BJP, Raina said he is an outstanding leader, has a strong support base in the Rajouri-Poonch belt. “The BJP will get a major boost with his entry.”

Reacting to former chief minister Omar Abdullah's remarks on Article 370, Raina said Abdullah's party was losing ground in Jammu and Kashmir and that was the reason why he made such remarks.

Abdullah on Saturday said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will pass a resolution against the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 as the first action after the Union Territory Assembly polls.

(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from United News Agency-PTI)