SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday accused the BJP of adopting a contradictory position over independent MLA Satish Sharma’s removal from the Council of Ministers, alleging that the party had previously sought to have both him and Sharma dropped from the government.
Rejecting the BJP’s criticism that Jammu had been inadequately represented in the cabinet following the recent reshuffle, Choudhary said the opposition party’s concern over Sharma’s exit was inconsistent with its earlier political attacks against the two leaders.
“Those who tried to politically damage us and get both of us dropped from the government are now shedding crocodile tears over Satish Sharma’s removal,” he said.
Choudhary alleged that BJP leaders had branded the two leaders “Jaichands” and used labels such as “Satish Abdullah” and “Surinder Abdullah” to target them politically.
Expressing disappointment over Sharma’s removal from the cabinet, the Deputy Chief Minister thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for retaining him in the government. He said his elevation as Deputy Chief Minister ensured Jammu’s representation in the Council of Ministers.
Responding to BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi’s description of the National Conference as a “Muslim Conference”, Choudhary questioned the BJP’s record in giving Muslim leaders adequate representation in senior ministerial positions in governments led by the party.
He also defended his identity as a Dogra, saying his Jat background did not diminish his association with the community. Objecting to remarks he said had hurt the sentiments of Jat people, Choudhary questioned why his community background had become a subject of political controversy.
Referring to the region’s history, he said members of the Jat community had served during the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and maintained that his community background should not be used to question his Dogra identity.
