BJP MLA Pathania Demands Deputy CM’s Exit, Urges CM to Take Immediate Action

Srinagar, June 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator R.S. Pathania on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Jammu and Kashmir government, demanding immediate action against Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary over allegations raised by members of the ruling alliance.

Addressing reporters, the Udhampur East MLA said that if the Deputy Chief Minister does not voluntarily step down in view of the accusations levelled against him, the responsibility rests with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take decisive action. According to Pathania, maintaining public confidence in governance requires accountability at the highest levels of government.

The BJP leader argued that allegations emerging from within the ruling coalition itself cannot be ignored and called for a firm response from the administration. He maintained that the Chief Minister should act in the interest of transparency and ensure that questions surrounding the Deputy Chief Minister’s functioning are addressed.

Pathania also raised concerns regarding the functioning of the Roads and Buildings Department, alleging irregularities in the execution of works and administrative processes. He claimed that public infrastructure projects require greater scrutiny and oversight to ensure efficient use of resources and timely completion of development activities.

Expanding his criticism, the BJP legislator accused the Mining Department of widespread mismanagement and alleged that illegal extraction activities have continued unchecked. He argued that excessive mining has adversely affected natural water channels and river systems, increasing concerns over environmental degradation and flood vulnerability in several areas.

According to Pathania, unchecked exploitation of riverbeds and drainage networks could have long-term consequences for ecological balance and public safety. He urged authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enforce regulations more effectively to prevent further damage.

The BJP MLA also dismissed the recent meeting of National Conference leaders in Dachigam, describing it as an exercise intended to divert public attention from pressing governance issues. He claimed that people are more concerned about delivery of public services and implementation of election commitments than political gatherings.

Criticising the performance of the National Conference-led administration, Pathania alleged that the government has failed to fulfil key promises made during the election campaign. He said voters had placed considerable trust in the ruling party with expectations of meaningful change, but according to him, several commitments remain unfulfilled.

Among the issues highlighted by the legislator was the long-pending demand for regularisation of daily-wage workers. He questioned the pace of decision-making on the matter and expressed dissatisfaction with the formation of committees without visible outcomes. Referring to previous experiences, he argued that similar exercises in the past did not lead to concrete implementation.

Pathania further claimed that despite substantial support and developmental assistance from the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has not achieved the expected results in governance and public service delivery. He alleged that administrative efficiency and responsiveness have been lacking in several sectors.

The BJP leader described the government’s functioning as inconsistent and marked by recurring controversies. He argued that frequent political disputes and public disagreements have overshadowed governance priorities and affected public confidence in the administration.

On electoral reforms, Pathania expressed support for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir. He said updating voter lists is an important democratic exercise and stressed the need for accurate, transparent, and reliable electoral records to strengthen the electoral process.

The remarks add to the growing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir as opposition parties continue to question the government’s performance on governance, development, employment, and administrative reforms. The ruling alliance, meanwhile, has maintained that it remains committed to addressing public concerns and delivering on its agenda.

With political exchanges intensifying ahead of future electoral and legislative developments, issues related to governance, accountability, infrastructure, environmental management, and employment are expected to remain at the centre of public discourse in the Union Territory.