DyCM Surinder Choudhary Refuses to Resign, Vows to Stand Firm Amid Pressure

SRINAGAR, Sep 23: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Tuesday asserted that the elected government in the Union Territory will not resign amid pressures, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the rights of the people despite facing significant challenges.

“There are some people who want us to resign. But we are not among those who run away. We are workers of Sher-e-Kashmir; we will struggle and fight for the rights of the people. We will not show our backs,” Choudhary told reporters in Ganderbal district.

He highlighted the constraints faced by the National Conference (NC) government due to the Union Territory’s limited powers following the revocation of statehood. “We do not have a free hand as we still operate under a dual governance system with both an elected government and an appointed administration,” Choudhary said.

Despite these hurdles, the deputy chief minister said the NC government is striving to address public concerns and fulfill election promises. “We have been given a mandate for five years, not 10 months, to fulfil our election promises. Then you can ask which promises we fulfilled and which we did not,” he said.

On the matter of statehood and restoration of Article 35A, Choudhary confirmed that these issues were discussed during the cabinet meeting held earlier in the day. He also criticized the opposition BJP and PDP for neglecting regional development during their previous rule from 2015 to 2018. “They should be asked if so much was done in terms of widening roads and improving connectivity, why are we still stuck in traffic jams?” he questioned.

Choudhary reaffirmed that the government will continue its efforts to implement development initiatives and address public grievances, despite challenges posed by limited powers and bureaucratic hurdles.