Jammu, Apr 12: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Jammu & Kashmir occupies a unique place in the ideological evolution of the Bharatiya Janata Party, tracing its roots to the early years of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded by Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951. He recalled that one of the first major movements led by Dr. Mukherjee was for the complete integration of Jammu & Kashmir with India and highlighted his 1953 visit to the region, when he passed away in Srinagar under tragic circumstances.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said this historic association not only gave an early impetus to the Jana Sangh but also firmly linked the party’s identity with Jammu & Kashmir for generations to come. Addressing BJP office bearers and senior functionaries in Jammu, he stated that BJP workers in the Union territory are direct inheritors of this legacy—both a privilege and a challenge—because they are expected to uphold and exemplify that legacy in conduct, commitment, and public life. He noted that the party’s political discourse and election campaigns across the country frequently draw reference to Jammu & Kashmir, giving the work and image of its local leaders national significance.
The meeting was convened in view of the usual organisational discussions that accompany executive committee sessions, and was attended by J&K BJP President Sat Paul Sharma, senior leader and former MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, Organisation General Secretary Ashok Koul, and other senior office bearers and party workers. At the outset, condolences were expressed on the passing of veteran singer Asha Bhosle and BJP MLA from Kathua Bharat Bhushan, who had died earlier in the day.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the BJP’s journey from the Jana Sangh to becoming one of the world’s largest political organisations reflects decades of ideological commitment and grassroots perseverance. He congratulated Sat Paul Sharma on being elected for a second consecutive term as J&K BJP President, calling it a rare development in the party’s organisational structure. He called for greater inclusivity, urging the party to accommodate new members and encourage young leadership, and stressed that individual growth should be seen as a strength, not a concern.
Referring to the changing communication environment, he underlined the impact of real‑time information and social media on politics and urged party functionaries to exercise discipline in public messaging, respond issue‑based with facts, and exercise restraint when necessary. On governance, he highlighted rapid progress in Jammu & Kashmir supported by the Centre, citing long‑pending projects such as the Ujh Multipurpose Project and the Shahpur Kandi Project that are now moving ahead. He also mentioned a cannabis‑based research project in Jammu via public‑private partnership with international collaboration and India’s advancement into the fast‑breeder‑reactor stage in nuclear energy, placing the country among a select group of nations with such capability.
Dr. Jitendra Singh urged party workers to actively communicate these achievements to the people, strengthen grassroots outreach, and engage constructively with the administration to ensure effective implementation of schemes. He called on functionaries to work with responsibility and coordination to enhance both organisational strength and developmental delivery in Jammu & Kashmir.
