SRINAGAR: Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not participate in the National Conference’s proposed statehood protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, describing it as an “eye wash” aimed at diverting attention from governance issues.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sharma questioned the fate of the Chief Minister’s promised signature campaign for the restoration of statehood and alleged that the ruling party was using the issue to deflect attention from its failures in governance.
He reiterated that the restoration of statehood remains the BJP’s commitment but said it would be achieved through Parliament rather than street protests.
Sharma also launched a sharp attack on the government’s outsourcing policy, calling it an “appointment scam” and alleging that deserving youth were being denied employment while appointments were being made through the backdoor. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the policy and warned that the BJP would intensify its agitation if the order was not revoked.
He said the party’s protest campaign would begin in Kashmir with a gherao of the Civil Secretariat before being expanded across Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP leader further accused the government of failing to fulfil key election promises, including providing 200 units of free electricity, 10 kilograms of free ration, one lakh jobs and free LPG cylinders.
Responding to a question on whether the BJP would join the NC-led statehood protest in Delhi, Sharma ruled out the possibility, saying the party would not stand with “thieves, fraudsters and murderers.”
Alleging widespread corruption in several government departments, Sharma claimed that money was being collected through transfers and other official processes. He called for an investigation into the allegations, saying it was his responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to raise public issues and hold the government accountable.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has announced a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, coinciding with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, to press for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
