India
BJP’s Shagun Parihar, whose father and uncle were killed by terrorists, wins Kishtwar seat in J&K elections | India News – Times of India
The BJP’s decision to nominate Shagun Parihar as its candidate was a strategic move to garner support from the diverse religious demographics in the district. By selecting a representative who could potentially connect with both the sizable Muslim population and the smaller Hindu community, the party hoped to make inroads into the region. an area that had been affected by terrorist acts in the past.
The choice of Parihar was seen as an attempt to bridge the gap between the two religious groups and promote a sense of unity in the face of adversity. The BJP recognized the importance of addressing the concerns of all voters, irrespective of their faith, to effectively serve the district and work towards a more harmonious future.
Who is Shagun Parihar?
Shagun tried to win over voters in her first election campaign by portraying the fight as a choice between those accused of looting businesses and committing violence, and those committed to bringing “peace, security and prosperity” for the people.
She has an MTech degree in Electrical Power Systems and is currently pursuing PhD studies and preparing for the J&K Public Service Commission exam.
Parihar’s father Ajeet Parihar and her uncle Anil Parihar, a senior leader in the BJP, were killed by terrorists on November 1, 2018, just before the Panchayat elections. While campaigning for the elections, Shagun had claimed that the votes for her would not be for her family but for every family who suffered losses due to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Her uncle Anil was considered a moderate voice within the BJP and had managed to gain some support from the Muslim community. He remained actively involved in Kishtwar politics during the height of militancy, especially during the BJP’s Doda Bachao Andolan in the 1990s, which resulted in the arrests of senior party leaders from the Center in Jammu.
Historically, Kishtwar has been a bastion for the National Conference, but the political landscape underwent a change in 2014 when the BJP won the seat for the first time, with candidate Sunil Sharma emerging triumphant.
The BJP won for the first time in Kishtwar in 2014.
