Bharatiya Janata Party leaders concluded a two-day visit to Great Nicobar, during which they met party workers, addressed public gatherings, and interacted with residents of several villages. The tour formed part of a wider outreach effort across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands aimed at strengthening the party’s presence and reviewing issues faced by local communities.
The state president of the party, accompanied by national-level leader Ragunath Kulkarni, presided over a workers’ meeting where organizational matters were discussed in detail. Addressing the gathering, the state president highlighted recent reductions in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and explained how these changes would benefit ordinary citizens. He emphasized that easing the tax burden was part of efforts to provide relief to common households and improve affordability of essential goods and services.
During his remarks, he also underlined the strategic importance of the residents of Great Nicobar, referring to them as the country’s “eyes and ears” in the southernmost tip of India. In the context of national security, he acknowledged the role of island communities in supporting the country’s vigilance over key maritime routes. The leader further urged party members to work towards ensuring victory in all Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) seats in the upcoming local body elections, describing grassroots representation as vital for strengthening governance in the islands.
The workers’ meeting was attended by senior local party figures including a Zilla Parishad member, a former vice president of the state unit, and the mandal president, along with other office-bearers. Each addressed the gathering and expressed confidence in the party’s growth trajectory in the islands.
Following the meeting, Ragunath Kulkarni, the state president, and accompanying leaders undertook a tour of multiple villages in Great Nicobar. They visited Govind Nagar, Jogindar Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Vijay Nagar, Fisherman Colony, and 1 KM settlement, among other habitations. During these visits, the leaders interacted with residents to hear their grievances firsthand. Issues related to connectivity, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities were reportedly among the concerns shared by villagers.
The leaders’ itinerary also included a stop at Car Nicobar on September 10, where they met local party workers and office-bearers for discussions on organizational matters specific to the Nicobar district. The visit formed part of a continuing series of engagements across the island chain.
Observers noted that the state president has, since assuming charge, made extensive visits across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, covering regions from Diglipur in the north to Campbell Bay in the south. The leadership’s emphasis has been on strengthening the grassroots network and consolidating party structures across geographically dispersed communities.
At the conclusion of the tour, the leaders expressed confidence that the energy and enthusiasm displayed by party workers during their interactions indicated growth potential for the BJP in the islands. The visit was described as both hectic and productive, combining organizational review with community outreach.
Following the engagements, Ragunath Kulkarni departed for Mumbai in the afternoon of September 11, while the state president returned to Sri Vijaya Puram. Party sources indicated that further visits to other districts are being planned as part of a larger programme of connecting with citizens and reinforcing the party’s presence at the local level.
The outreach in Great Nicobar is being viewed within the broader political context of upcoming local body elections, where all major parties are seeking to strengthen their organizational bases. For residents, the tour brought an opportunity to place longstanding demands directly before senior leaders, while for the party it represented an attempt to merge organizational growth with local issue-based engagement.
