Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that Jammu & Kashmir holds a unique place in the ideological evolution of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 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, during which he visited the region in 1953 and passed away in Srinagar under tragic circumstances.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this historic association not only gave an early impetus to the Jana Sangh but also firmly linked the identity of the party with Jammu & Kashmir for generations to come.
Stating that BJP workers in Jammu & Kashmir are direct inheritors of this legacy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that it is both a privilege and a challenge for them, a privilege because they represent the foundational ideals of the party, and a challenge because they are expected to uphold and exemplify that legacy in their conduct, commitment, and public life.
He added that, across the country, the BJP’s political discourse and election campaigns frequently draw reference to Jammu & Kashmir, making the conduct and credibility of workers from the region a matter of national relevance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing a meeting of BJP office-bearers and senior functionaries here, convened for organisational discussions usually held alongside executive committee meetings.
In the absence of a scheduled executive meeting, the session was organised to review activities undertaken during the intervening period and to plan organisational programmes ahead. The meeting was attended by J&K BJP President Sat Paul Sharma, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, Organisation General Secretary Ashok Koul, and other senior office-bearers and party workers.
Referring to organisational growth, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the BJP’s journey from its Jana Sangh origins to becoming the world’s largest political organisation reflects decades of ideological commitment and grassroots perseverance. He congratulated Sat Sharma on being elected for a second consecutive term as J&K BJP President, describing it as a rare development in the party’s organisational framework.
Calling for greater inclusivity within the organisation, Dr. Singh said that there is ample scope for accommodating new members and encouraging young leadership. He emphasised that the growth of individuals within the party should be seen as strength rather than a concern, adding that opportunities within the organisation are vast and expanding.
On governance and development, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing rapid progress through sustained central support. He referred to long-pending projects such as the Ujh Multipurpose Project, which had remained unresolved for nearly a century, and the Shahpur Kandi Project, both of which are now moving forward. He said such initiatives reflect both developmental commitment and corrective action on delays of the past.