SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday strongly criticized the National Conference (NC), accusing its ministers of ignoring BJP legislators’ concerns and questioning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s renewed call for statehood.
Sharma alleged that NC ministers deliberately overlook constituency issues raised by BJP MLAs, forcing them to approach Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directly for resolutions. “Our MLAs approach ministers with genuine grievances, but they don’t act. The LG, however, listens and resolves issues promptly,” he said, calling the NC’s approach a “selective democracy” that hampers governance.
Taking aim at Omar Abdullah, Sharma asked if the statehood demand aimed to recreate the era of violence that marked NC rule from 1982 to 2014. “During your tenure, schools were shut, civilians were killed, and fear ruled the streets. Is this the legacy you want to repeat?” he questioned.
He also criticized the NC for introducing the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the use of pellet guns in J&K, asserting that the highest number of civilian casualties occurred during their administration.
Sharma credited the Union Home Ministry and LG Manoj Sinha for maintaining peace and preventing local youth from joining terrorism, calling it the government’s “biggest achievement.”
He further accused Omar Abdullah of misleading the public regarding the LG’s office withholding files, stating that initiatives like free electricity, LPG subsidy, and job schemes have been implemented efficiently. However, he noted that some key files, including appointments of the Advocate General and education board chairpersons, remain 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.