SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC), accusing its ministers of sidelining BJP legislators and questioning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s demand for statehood, saying it reminds people of a time when civilians suffered the most.
Addressing reporters, Sharma said NC ministers deliberately ignore BJP legislators’ pleas regarding constituency issues, forcing them to seek help directly from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “Our MLAs approach ministers with genuine grievances, but they don’t act. The LG, however, listens and resolves issues promptly,” he said, adding that such indifference hampers governance and exposes the NC’s “selective democracy.”
Taking a dig at Omar Abdullah, Sharma asked whether his call for the restoration of statehood was meant to repeat the era of violence under NC rule. “Wasn’t statehood with you from 1982 to 2014? Do you want statehood again to kill innocent civilians? During your tenure, schools were shut, innocents died, and fear ruled the streets,” he said.
He further alleged that the NC introduced the Public Safety Act (PSA) and pellet guns in Jammu and Kashmir. “It was your government that used PSA and pellets on the people. The highest number of civilian killings happened during your rule,” Sharma remarked.
The BJP leader credited the Union Home Ministry and LG Manoj Sinha for restoring peace and stability in the region. “No local youth has joined terrorism under this government. That is the biggest achievement — it shows the youth now believe in democracy and progress,” he said.
Sharma accused Omar Abdullah of misleading the public by claiming that the LG’s office withholds government files. “Tell me, which decision of the Council of Ministers has been blocked by the LG? Be it free electricity, LPG subsidy, or job schemes — all were approved and implemented,” he said.
He alleged that key files, including those related to the appointment of the Advocate General, Chairman of the Board of School Education, and promotions in engineering departments, are pending in the CM’s office.
“Instead of misleading people, Omar Abdullah should focus on governance. The BJP will continue to raise people’s issues inside and outside the Assembly,” Sharma asserted. (KNC)
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