‘Don’t become attached to individuals or positions’: Santhosh to BJP workers

BJP National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santhosh said that organizational responsibilities may change with time, but the basic duties, values and commitment of a dedicated activist always remain unchanged. He said the organization’s aim is bigger than any individual and every worker must continuously develop himself while working to strengthen the party.

BL Santhosh was addressing a ‘Samman Samaroh’ organized at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, to honour Tarun Chugh for his nearly six years of service as J&K BJP Prabhari and Ashok Koul for his 14 years of dedicated service as J&K BJP General Secretary (Organization). Tarun Chugh is now National Office Prabhari, Rajya Sabha MP and Gujarat Prabhari, while Ashok Koul has returned to the core organization RSS.

The programme was chaired by J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma and addressed by Tarun Chugh, J&K BJP Seh-Prabhari and MLA Reena Kashyap, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, MP Lok Sabha Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP Rajya Sabha Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, former President Ashok Khajuria, former President Ravinder Raina and General Secretary Baldev Singh Billawaria. J&K BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul and RSS Seh-Sanghchalak Dr. Vikrant Sharma also addressed the party leaders.

Congratulating Chugh, Santhosh said every person, while discharging organizational responsibilities, gradually develops his personality, experience and ability to guide others. He praised Koul’s long service as a senior RSS Pracharak and J&K BJP’s Sangathan Mantri, saying his transfer to the parent organization reflects the larger organizational purpose. “Responsibilities may change, but the basic duties don’t,” he said, wishing Koul good health for continued service. He urged activists to strengthen the party while simultaneously developing themselves, without becoming attached to individuals or positions.

Sat Sharma thanked Chugh and Koul for their dedicated service, saying their contribution strengthened BJP in whole of J&K, and also helped the party win DDC elections in Kashmir and strengthen its organizational presence. He recalled how workers could directly approach Koul with political, social and personal concerns, while Chugh travelled to even the remotest areas of J&K to strengthen the party at the grassroots.

Chugh said J&K has witnessed consistent struggles for nationalist and social causes, with BJP activists making sacrifices during difficult periods. He said the Modi government has placed J&K on the path of development and described Koul as a core organization man who strengthened BJP’s base in Jammu and expanded its presence across constituencies in Kashmir. He called for continued efforts, saying much work remains despite the achievements.

Koul narrated his journey since joining the RSS in 1974 and serving the organization in various capacities as a Pracharak. Recalling that he continued his organizational service despite a serious accident, he advised activists to constantly learn, mature themselves and cultivate patience, courage, endurance and steadfastness. He stressed that workers should focus not merely on organizational goals but also on developing themselves.

Dr. Vikrant Sharma traced the organizational evolution of BJP since the inception of RSS, emphasizing that responsibilities change but core values remain constant. He urged activists to draw inspiration from Koul’s values and continue developing themselves.

Reena Kashyap thanked the organization for entrusting her with the responsibility of J&K Seh-Prabhari and assured that she would make every effort to discharge her duties effectively. She said BJP recognizes women as 50 per cent of society and provides them equal opportunities in every field.

Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled the memories, hardships and achievements associated with Koul’s long tenure, highlighting the party’s repeated strong performances in MP, MLA, DDC, BDC, ULB and Panchayat elections.

Sunil Sharma recalled Koul’s inspiring role in grooming activists and described his life as an example of patience, courage, endurance and steadfastness.

MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana, former President Dr. Nirmal Singh, former President Ravinder Raina, MLA Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, BJP Vice-Presidents Priya Sethi and Rakesh Mahajan, among others, also shared inspiring memories of their organizational association with Ashok Koul.