Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNS): Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, claiming that unemployment has risen, industries have not benefited and development claims exist only on paper.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Choudhary said journalists themselves should assess what has changed after the special status of J&K was withdrawn. “After breaking the state and removing 370, big celebrations were done, big claims were made, but what has changed on the ground? You should ask this question,” he said as per KNS.
He said that people in Jammu and Kashmir are suffering due to unemployment, stalled industries and lack of real development. “A package of Rs 28,000 crore had come for the local industry, but what benefit did the industrial units of Jammu and Kashmir get? Ask them what changed after Article 370 and 35A were removed,” he said.
Choudhary also said that BJP should answer how the daily lives of youth have improved. “If we are wrong, prove us wrong. If breaking the special status of J&K was beneficial, then what benefit has come?” he said.
He accused the BJP of running on “a politics of lies”, saying leaders of the party “get up in the morning with a bag full of lies and distribute them every day”.
He also alleged that BJP leaders were creating pressure on officers and slowing down developmental works. “Officers are scared of inquiries. We are political people, we have done nothing wrong, we are not afraid. But when officers are harassed, work slows and people suffer,” he said.
Choudhary said National Conference has always worked on issues, not slogans. “From Dr Farooq Abdullah to Omar Abdullah, our policy has remained the unity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWe talk about protecting land and jobs for the people of Jammu and Kashmir so that outsiders cannot take them,” he said.
Choudhary also challenged BJP to a public debate. “Come and debate with me. I will answer every question. Instead of blaming Omar Abdullah's government, BJP should bring a white paper of what it has done in the last 11 years,” he said.
He further said that many major developmental works in Jammu have been carried out by the present government and not by the BJP. “Tell me which major project BJP brought without the support of the present government. Show one project. They should stop misleading Jammu,” he added.
Choudhary said that the National Conference government is focusing on development along Tawi river and other infrastructure projects. “Omar Sahib has taken many decisions for the benefit of people. But BJP keeps doing politics instead of development,” he said.
Earlier, Choudhary visited the site of a damaged bridge in Babliana area which had collapsed in a flood. He said that restoration was completed in 18 days after giving officers a 20-day deadline. “Our officers worked day and night to reopen this bridge on a temporary basis. The BJP could not do this in 11 years,” he said as per KNS.
He added that the remaining work of the bridge and surrounding infrastructure is also underway.
The Deputy Chief Minister praised the administration for completing restoration within the target period and said that the government would continue development despite political pressure. “We are facing difficulties, but we are standing and fighting. We will try our best to fulfil the promises made to the people in the next five years,” he said.(KNS)