Tarun Chugh is a senior BJP leader, currently serving as the party's National General Secretary and in charge of Jammu & Kashmir. He has been strengthening the party's presence in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 30 years. His role in overseeing the BJP's activities in the region has made him an important figure in J&K's political landscape.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tarun Chugh expresses confidence that the BJP will form the government in Jammu & Kashmir without any support from regional parties like the NC or PDP. He sees the rise of independent candidates as a sign of changing times in the region and suggests that the end of militancy has been a turning point in the valley’s journey towards stability and growth.

Chugh also highlights how Prime Minister Modi’s development agenda has reshaped J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. He also talks about the party's commitment to Agniveers and assures that statehood will be restored, as promised by both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The discussion also covers the challenges faced by Kashmiri Pandits, the return of peace and democracy to the region, and the BJP’s position on important issues like the Darbar Move and the controversial 1987 election rigging.

Mir Junaid is a Kashmiri politician and social activist widely recognized for his strong support of the abrogation of Article 370 and his advocacy for peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. As the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, Mir Junaid has actively engaged in grassroots politics, with a focus on enhancing stability and fostering economic growth in the region. He is often seen as a strong supporter of India's sovereignty and integration of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has been instrumental in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the people in the valley. He is set to contest the upcoming J&K Assembly elections from the Langate constituency in Kupwara district.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mir Junaid opens up about his decision to support the abrogation of Article 370 and aims the National Conference and People's Democratic Party, the two dominant political forces in Jammu and Kashmir. He accuses them of fueling violence in the region, claiming they exploited the emotions of the Kashmiri people for political gains. He also charges them with colluding with militants, often calling off military operations to protect insurgents, and blames them for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s. Junaid emphasizes that his party, the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, is committed to fighting for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

Junaid also highlights the BJP's recent move to grant reservations to the region's ethnic minorities, fulfilling a longstanding demand. He also adds that this decision prompted his wife, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's decision to join the BJP. He also recalls the incident when he was attacked by Pakistani nationals at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Firmly opposed to any dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Junaid argues that a country responsible for decades of bloodshed in the valley should not be welcomed to the negotiating table.

00:00 - Introduction

01:02 - Supporting Abrogation of Article 370

05:25 - Exposing PDP & NC

09:44 - Rahul Gandhi's J&K Campaign

11:36 - NC-PDP Supported Militants?

13:30 - Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

16:40 - Promise of 'Naya' Kashmir

17:59 - Politics of the Abdullahs

20:23 - BJP's Entry in J&K

22:47 - Fight for Statehood

24:23 - Who Will Form Govt. in J&K?

32:31 - Rise of Engineer Rashid

34:58 - ISI's Attack on Mir Junaid in USA

36:23 - Kashmir's Youth Voters

39:12 - Ethnic Minorities in J&K

43:32 - BJP Supporting Independent Candidates?

45:47 - Mir Junaid's Vision for Kashmir

48:12 - Election Promises

55:19 - Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's Move to Join BJP

57:27 - Should India Hold Dialogue with Pakistan?

59:07 - Security Situation in J&K

Raman Bhalla is currently serving as the working president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee. A senior leader in the Jammu region, Raman Bhalla has been elected twice to the J&K Legislative Assembly from the Gandhinagar constituency and has also served as the revenue minister in the J&K government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Raman Bhalla talks about who has the upper hand in the Jammu region and what has changed since the abrogation of Article 370. He also highlights key differences between the Congress and NC manifestos, NC's stance on Article 370, and the role of the PDP in the INDIA Bloc.

Bhalla alleges that the BJP is backing independent candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir elections. He also discusses the halting of the Darbar Move, a practice of shifting government offices between Jammu and Srinagar, and the impact this decision has had on the region. The conversation also covers security concerns, including the rise of terror attacks in Jammu and the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

00:00 - Introduction

00:39 - Political Situation in Jammu South

04:47 - Congress Manifesto Delayed

09:38 - Delimitation

13:34 - Congress vs NC Manifestos

16:35 - Normalcy Post Article 370

17:29 - 'Parivarvaad' in J&K Politics

21:22 - PDP's Role in the INDIA Bloc

23:55 - Independents in J&K Polls

25:47 - Halting of the Darbar Move

28:36 - Pak Interference in J&K

29:41 - Terror Attacks in Jammu Division

30:26 - Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation

38:20 - Who Will Win the J&K Polls?