Srinagar: Days after Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah claimed that he had the option in 2024 to align with BJP and form the government and get the statehood restored but he decided otherwise, unlike PDP, the BJP on Wednesday said the party never intended to join the National Conference government headed after the assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir last year.
Leader of the Oposition (LoP) in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and BJP MLA, Sunil Sharma, while addressing the media here in Srinagar, said the party was content with sitting in the opposition and had, has and will never have any tie-up with NC.
“Who approached NC or for that matter Mr Omar Abdullah with the offer of forming a coalition government. If any BJP leader offered him this, he should bring it to the fore, or stop the lies and misleading stories,” Sharma said.
“You have claimed that you had the opportunity of going with the BJP? No, our party has no need to form the government with you. If anyone has made an offer to you, confirm it publicly, or else apologise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and say that you lied,” Sharma said.
Abdullah, while speaking at an event in Achabal area of Anantnag district last week, had said that the National Conference could have joined hands with the BJP like the PDP did in 2015, but he did not, because “I am not ready to make that trade”.
Abdullah stated that had he included the BJP in the government, the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir might have been restored sooner. He stressed that he would rather resign than enter into an alliance with the BJP to hasten statehood.
Responding to the remarks, Sharma said that it was Abdullah who was knocking the BJP’s doors.
“Will the BJP go to him (Abdullah) to form the government? You knock the BJP’s doors. We don’t want to say which leaders you met. When your recent offer was rejected, you are now making noise. This is the height of political shamelessness,” Sharma said.
The LoP said Abdullahs were habitual liars and accused them of trying to drum up hatred against the BJP and the Centre.
“They have a habit of lying to the people. They want total friendship in Delhi, but try to create an atmosphere against the Centre in Kashmir,” Sharma alleged.
Referring to Abdullah’s meeting with Union ministers in New Delhi, Sharma said he presents shawls and bouquets to them, has tea and even eats with them, “but in Jammu and Kashmir, he says he will not allow the BJP to form the government here”.
“Abdullah is working on a tool kit to promote hatred against the BJP and Central government for political gains in the Budgam bypolls,” Sharma added.
On the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, the BJP leader said people do not want a statehood that brings back violence.
“Do you (Abdullah) want statehood for killing civilians? You have not killed militants. Do you want statehood to enforce hartals, and to keep children away from schools? People don’t want or demand such a statehood. If he wants such a statehood, then it should not be restored,” Sharma said.
Attacking the CM further, the LoP asked him to focus on the responsibilities before him and “stop fooling people”.
Responding to questions about the recent controversies over administrative appointments, Sharma accused the NC of “spreading lies about withheld files and appointments.”
“In 16 cabinet meetings, the LG has approved 97 files and sent them back. Tell me where is the file of the Advocate General, the State Election Commission, or Chief Engineers? These files are missing because they are lying,” Sharma said.
Sharma also criticised the NC-led alliance for “inaction” on several welfare committees promised earlier.
“Where is the committee for daily wagers? Where is the committee for reservation? These committees were only for speeches. They exist only on paper,” he said.
Acknowledging that his party will not contest Budgam by-election with “tall claims”, LoP said that the party will surely contest to “expose NC’s lies and double standards as we will not allow lies to mislead people.”
Sharma also expressed gratitude to the Centre for releasing in advance the 21st instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme for farmers of Jammu and Kashmir.
Approximately Rs 171 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of around 8.55 lakh eligible farmers of the Union Territory on Tuesday. (WITH PTI INPUTS)
