JAMMU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national office in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh on Saturday criticised the National Conference (NC)-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that its proposed resolution on statehood was an attempt to divert attention from governance issues and unfulfilled electoral promises.
Addressing reporters in Jammu, Chugh claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already committed in Parliament to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and described the proposed resolution as a “political gimmick.”
He alleged that the Omar Abdullah-led government was using the issue to shift focus from public concerns related to employment, development and governance. Chugh said the government should present its performance record and explain the status of promises made to the electorate.
The BJP leader said his party was expanding its organisational base in Jammu and Kashmir and would continue to work for development and what he described as safeguarding national interests. He credited infrastructure projects, including road and railway development, to initiatives taken by the Central government under Prime Minister Modi.
Chugh alleged that the present administration had failed to meet public expectations in areas such as tourism and economic development. He said BJP legislators would play the role of a “constructive opposition” in the Assembly and raise issues concerning the public.
Reiterating the BJP’s position on statehood, Chugh said the Central government remained committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the NC of using the issue for political purposes and cautioned against what he termed “separatist politics.”
Commenting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Chugh said the exercise was necessary for maintaining accurate voter lists and ensuring electoral integrity. He also criticised the Congress, accusing it of misleading the public on the issue and questioning its objections to the revision process.
The BJP leader also praised Indian athletes for their performance at the Asian Games and commended the pilot of a recent flight incident for actions that, according to him, helped avert a major tragedy. He described Prime Minister Modi’s reported interaction with the pilot as a matter of national pride.
Chugh further accused the Congress of pursuing divisive politics and alleged that the difficulties facing the NC government stemmed from its own governance failures. He said India’s economic growth and international standing had improved under the Modi government, citing the country’s emergence as the world’s fourth-largest economy.
