Jammu, April 04: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President Jammu of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, today launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that its decade-long rule has been marked by “broken promises, missed opportunities, and growing disillusionment” among the people of Jammu particularly in border and Kandi areas of District Samba.
He was addressing a well-attended party functionaries meeting of Vijaypur Assembly Constituency at Sher-e- Kashmir Bhavan, Jammu, organised by the District President under the leadership of Sudagar Chand Gupta. Prominent among those present were Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary Jammu and several local party functionaries.
In his address, Gupta said the BJP has “squandered the trust” of the people of Jammu, especially those living in border belts, who continue to face neglect on critical development fronts. He noted that over the past ten years, Samba and adjoining areas have seen negligible employment generation and lack of meaningful recruitment opportunities.
“There have been no significant recruitment drives like DG Bharti, no substantial induction in forces such as the BSF, and no concrete initiatives to engage the local youth,” he said, adding that unemployment continues to push young people into frustration and uncertainty.
He further alleged that instead of empowering locals, jobs and contracts are increasingly being diverted to outsiders, thereby marginalising the region’s youth and straining local resources. Gupta also slammed the Centre government for its failure to implement the much-publicised promise of providing 5 marla land to the border people at Safer places, calling it a “clear reflection of the gap between announcements and ground reality.”
Raising a key political concern, Gupta strongly criticized the prolonged delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said repeated assurances have failed to translate into action, leaving people deprived of their democratic rights. “The delay in restoring statehood is not just administrative neglect—it is a denial of political dignity and accountable governance to the people,” he asserted.
Gupta further remarked that the BJP is steadily losing ground in Jammu as public anger over unfulfilled promises, unemployment, and governance failures continues to rise. “The mood on the ground is changing. People are no longer influenced by slogans; they are asking for answers and accountability,” he said.
Among others who were present in the meeting included: Rajni Devi Working President Women Wing Jammu, Showket Choudhary District President ST Cell Samba, Joginder Kumar, Yash Pal, Puran Chand, Swarn Singh, Rahul Attri and other District/ Blocks/ Wings/ Party functionaries were also present.