Jammu, August 9 (KNS): National Conference Additional General Secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today described the continued denial of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as the biggest betrayal by the BJP with the people, saying the prolonged downgrading of a full-fledged State into a Union Territory has seriously undermined the democratic aspirations and dignity of its people.
Addressing a public meeting at NARDANI in Jammu North Assembly Constituency, which was organized by Gourav Singh Jamwal Incharge 12 Panchayats of Youth National Conference, Devender Raina and Karan Singh Incharge 6 Panchayats. Sadhotra said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been repeatedly assured that statehood would be
restored, but the commitment remains unfulfilled despite an elected government being in place.
Sadhotra said the commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir was not made in some obscure political setting but was given on the floor of Parliament
and reiterated before the Supreme Court. He said the conditions cited in the past, including delimitation and holding of elections, have already been fulfilled, with the
Assembly elections held nearly two years ago.
Sadhotra also expressed satisfaction over the participation of INDIA bloc constituents alongside the National Conference at the Jantar Mantar demonstration
seeking restoration of full statehood. He said the growing political unity on the issue was a positive development and reflected the wider acceptance that statehood is a democratic and constitutional right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the people exercised their democratic right by electing a government with a clear mandate and that mandate should have been respected in letter and spirit but the BJP’s authoritarian attitude continues to remain a stumble block.
“An elected government cannot be expected to discharge its responsibilities
effectively when important aspects of governance continue to remain subject to uncertainty and dual control,” he said.
Sadhotra expressed concern over the continuing ambiguity surrounding the division of powers and the delay in finalizing the Rules of Business for the elected
government. He said the Lieutenant Governor should not become an instrument for creating hurdles in the functioning of the government chosen by the people
.
Sadhotra said the present arrangement of dual control over governance was neither in the interest of administrative efficiency nor conducive to accelerating development. Jammu and Kashmir needs clarity of authority, accountability and responsibility. When two centres of power operate in an atmosphere of uncertainty, it is ultimately the common citizen who suffers, he added.
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He said the elected government should be allowed to function in accordance with the mandate given to it by the people and should have adequate administrative space to
implement its policies and programmes.
Mr. Sadhotra maintained that restoration of full statehood is not merely a political demand of the National Conference but a legitimate democratic aspiration of the people
of Jammu and Kashmir. He said statehood would restore the constitutional and administrative framework necessary for responsive governance and greater accountability to the people.
He questioned the BJP’s continued silence on the issue despite repeated
assurances by its top leaders on restoration of statehood.
“The people cannot be asked to keep waiting indefinitely for a promise that has already been made to them. The BJP led Union Government should read the writing on the wall and honour commitment to restore full statehood without further delay,” he
said.
The former Minister said the prolonged uncertainty was also affecting the pace of
growth and development. Important decisions concerning infrastructure, employment, public services and investment require clear institutional responsibility and an
administration that can act without ambiguity, he added.
He said Jammu and Kashmir had immense potential in tourism, agriculture, horticulture, education, industry and services, but unlocking this potential required
stable, accountable and people-oriented governance.
Sadhotra said the National Conference would continue to pursue the restoration of full statehood through democratic and constitutional means. He appealed to all political and social forces to rise above partisan considerations and push for the legitimate demand.
“Statehood is about the rights, dignity and democratic voice of the people. It cannot be reduced to a political slogan. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a government
that is empowered to govern, accountable for its decisions and answerable directly to the people,” he said.
Sadhotra expressed confidence that the NC cadre would continue reaching out to the people in both the regions and sub regions for seeking restoration of their democratic rights and fulfilment of the demand for full statehood.
Others who spoke on the occasion are Raghubir Singh Manhas, Ch Subash Chander, Tilak Raj Bhagat, Ved Prakash Sharma, Sandeep Singh Manhas, Vikram Sharma, Faquir Chand, Jagdish Raj, Rashpal Chand, Ram Lal, Natha Ram Bhagat, Bansi Lal, Balram Singh
Jamwal, Kulwant Singh Manhas, S Gurdev Singh.(KNS)