New Delhi: BJP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh on Monday accused the National Conference (NC) government in Jammu and Kashmir of neglecting relief efforts in flood-affected areas, alleging that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had prioritised political engagements in New Delhi over addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Union Territory.
Addressing a meeting in New Delhi attended by J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma and Rajya Sabha MP Er. Ghulam Ali Khatana, Chugh claimed that cloudbursts and flash floods in Rajouri, Poonch and other parts of the Jammu region had affected thousands of people, displaced several families and claimed more than 20 lives.
He alleged that the Chief Minister and the NC leadership should have remained in the affected areas to supervise relief, rehabilitation and rescue operations instead of participating in political programmes in the national capital.
“Instead of leading rescue and relief operations, Omar Abdullah has chosen political optics over public duty. At a time when the people needed their Chief Minister on the ground, he abandoned them to pursue the National Conference’s political agenda,” Chugh alleged.
He further claimed that the NC was attempting to divert attention from the concerns of affected residents rather than focusing on relief, rehabilitation and restoration of normalcy.
Highlighting the BJP’s response, Chugh said the party had cancelled its proposed protest programme in Srinagar in view of the flood situation and diverted its attention towards relief and rescue efforts.
According to Chugh, a BJP delegation comprising Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, vice-president Dr Shehnaz Ganai, general secretary Gopal Mahajan and other leaders visited the affected areas, met victims and assessed the damage.
“The BJP believes service to the people comes before politics. While our workers and leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder with flood victims, the National Conference leadership was busy seeking political mileage in Delhi,” he claimed.
Chugh also alleged that recent statements by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah reflected a focus on political issues rather than the immediate concerns arising from the disaster. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would hold the government accountable for its handling of the situation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sat Sharma said people expected leadership during times of crisis rather than political posturing. He said the BJP would continue to support affected families until relief, rehabilitation and justice were ensured.
