Jammu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC)-led Jammu and Kashmir government, accusing it of gross negligence in handling the recent floods and failing to learn lessons from the devastation of 2014.
At a joint press conference in Jammu, senior BJP leaders and spokespersons – Dr. Tahir Chowdhary, Rajni Sethi, and Zorawar Singh Jamwal – alleged that widespread encroachments, unregulated construction, and administrative apathy were the root causes behind the large-scale flooding that has left thousands homeless across the Union Territory.
Dr. Chowdhary, BJP spokesperson and leader, said the tragedy was not merely an outcome of heavy rains but also of years of unchecked land grabbing and mismanagement.
“Entire neighbourhoods were submerged on August 26. Families lost homes, belongings, and even loved ones. This destruction is directly linked to the way natural waterways have been encroached upon. Drains have been converted into narrow lanes, shopping malls and houses have been constructed on water bodies, and when nature reclaims its path, the result is catastrophic,” he said.
He held the NC-led government responsible for turning a blind eye to illegal constructions. “Encroachers take years to grab land, but nature only takes seconds to take it back. Unless strict, permanent action is taken against the land mafia, this cycle will keep repeating,” he warned.
Chowdhary also highlighted the unchecked use of polythene as a factor in blocking drains. “Municipal drives target small shopkeepers, but no factory producing polythene has ever been shut down. If the government is serious, it must strike at the source,” he said.
BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi accused the NC government of indulging in optics instead of providing relief.
“For the past 10 months of this government, people have seen nothing but failure. The Chief Minister seems more interested in photoshoots and sympathy stunts than in governance. When people in Jammu are struggling without food, shelter, or basic amenities, the government is nowhere to be seen,” she said.
Sethi pointed out that BJP legislators had contributed from their constituency development funds, while NC lawmakers remained “missing in action.”
“Is governance reduced to giving ₹10 crore and washing hands off responsibility? What about long-term measures? Why is the focus only on Kashmir’s Jhelum, while Jammu’s flooded areas are ignored?” she asked.
She said it was left to neighbourhood welfare committees and local volunteers to provide food and shelter to affected families. “This exposes the total failure of the Omar Abdullah government in both preparedness and response,” she remarked.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal, also a BJP spokesperson, said the NC’s governance record reflected a consistent bias against Jammu.
“The governments led by Kashmir-based parties here have shown step-motherly treatment towards Jammu. Even today, relief assessments are sluggish, and victims are left in despair. If this government wants to restrict itself to photoshoots, then it should admit its failure and step aside,” Jamwal asserted.
He accused the government of shielding encroachers and land grabbers who, he claimed, operated in collusion with “elements within the administration.”
“Ordinary families are the victims today, not the land mafia that pocketed money by selling plots on encroached land. The revenue department and administrative machinery know exactly who is responsible, yet no action has been taken,” he said.
Jamwal added that BJP lawmakers and MPs had already pledged funds symbolically to stand with the people.
“The BJP does not want to see the people of Jammu and Kashmir suffer further. Our workers have reached out across communities to provide relief, while the government has gone missing,” he said.
The BJP leaders warned that weather forecasts of more rain in the coming days could worsen the crisis.
“This is a wake-up call. If the administration does not immediately assess damage, compensate victims, and remove encroachments, we may be staring at an even bigger tragedy,” they said.
The BJP leaders said their party would continue to raise the voices of ordinary citizens, demanding accountability from the government.
“Jammu and Kashmir needs governance, not gimmicks,” they said.
