JAMMU — Asserting that the BJP-led government is not sincere about restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday said people of the Union Territory are pinning their hopes on the Supreme Court, which has been delivering justice in the country for decades.
Choudhary made the remarks while visiting Bhagwati Nagar to review restoration works after flash floods in August damaged the approach road to the fourth bridge over the Tawi. He assured commuters that repairs to the affected stretch and to Panjtirthi Road, which connects Jammu city with Sidhra, will be completed soon.
He accused the BJP of playing “lollipop politics” ahead of a scheduled assessment of the National Conference government’s first year in office, and said the Union Territory continues to grapple with longstanding problems such as the regularisation of daily-wagers and unemployment. “If they [the BJP] are left to decide on restoration of statehood, they will never do it. They have destroyed J-K,” he said, responding to a question about the apex court granting the Centre four weeks to respond on the matter.
Choudhary appealed to the Supreme Court to “hear the heartbeats of the people and not the politicians,” adding that the people of J-K view the court as a “last ray of hope” for statehood and for ensuring assembly elections.
He insisted that restoration of statehood is sought for the benefit of all residents, not for any single party. “We are seeking restoration of statehood for the people of J-K so that the dual system of governance is ended and governance is improved,” he said.
On his recent statement that the Lt Governor had downgraded his security, Choudhary said, “I request with folded hands that if you feel Surinder Choudhary does not need security and the situation has improved, withdraw my security along with those of other leaders, including those from the BJP, Congress and PDP. I do not need any special favour.” He also urged the Lt Governor to end the “fashion” of attaching two personal security officers to protected persons.
The deputy chief minister raised questions about accountability for a Rs 28,000 crore industrial package and said illegal mining must be probed at the highest level. He accused the Lt Governor of sitting on files forwarded by the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet, saying the file related to business rules and other important documents remain pending and that the Lt Governor “is even interfering in the transfer of officers.”
Asked about the BJP’s demand for a report card on the NC government’s first year, Choudhary repeated his allegation of “lollipop politics,” noting that the saffron party had governed J-K in coalition with the PDP for four years and later ruled through the Lt Governor. He called on the Lt Governor to “stop double-speak and support the democratically elected government in providing relief to the people.”
He ruled out any alliance with the BJP and said, “The people of J-K have given the National Conference their mandate for governance — which is the beauty of democracy. Let them do whatever they want by not clearing the files or creating obstacles in the smooth functioning of the government; we will not bow before them. We will sacrifice the government rather than become their partners.” — (PTI)