SRINAGAR: Taking exception to recent statements by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday stated that it seems LG Sinha has initiated a full-fledged election campaign for the BJP, aiming to denigrate and demonise opponent parties.
PDP’s reaction came in response to LG Sinha’s remarks during the Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyan and Swarozgar Utsav event in Jammu on Wednesday. Sinha stated that Article 370 predominantly benefited individuals residing on a “specific road,” enabling them to amass substantial wealth annually without engaging in any form of business, employment, or agricultural practice, according to media reports. He asserted that misleading narratives emerged after the repeal of Article 370, as it primarily favored a select group that exploited people in the name of development.
“One would have expected Mr Sinha to rise above political matters. If complaints against any person or party are there, he should investigate those specific charges instead of making wild allegations against everybody. It is disconcerting to witness the Lieutenant Governor engaging in a broad generalisation that seems to mark the commencement of an election campaign for the BJP, targeting others without presenting concrete evidence. We remind Mr. Sinha of the significance of his constitutional role and urge him to desist from making baseless allegations and insinuations that can tarnish the image of public personalities and institutions,” the PDP spokesperson said in a statement issued to press.
The PDP spokesman said that the indiscriminate arrests, property seizures, and filing of cases has become the modus operandi of the administration. “We question the government on the number of convictions secured from these actions so far. LG must remember the responsibility that comes with his position and avoid engaging in a campaign that appears to be more about political posturing than genuine governance,” the party said in a statement.
The recent developments concerning alleged irregularities in the name of development projects are alarming. The party demands the government to clarify the execution of works under the smart city projects by publicly disclosing the list of contractors and the tendering process, PDP spokesperson said.
“Transparency is crucial to ensuring public trust and confidence in the administration. The government’s habit of blaming previous administrations for its own shortcomings is not acceptable. Instead of deflecting responsibility, we urge the government to update the public on the progress of investigations into various scams, including the insurance scam, power projects scam, and recruitment scams, as admitted by the government itself in the past,” the statement reads.
The spokesperson said that PDP is concerned about recent changes in the higher management of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, especially the increasing removal of local executives.
“We value the institution’s historical significance and its role in our region’s economic development. The Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been a source of pride for our people, and we call for its autonomy and credibility to be preserved. We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor to maintain impartiality and ensure institutions function in the public interest, free from undue political interference. PDP supports accountability and urges the Lieutenant Governor to address specific grievances transparently and initiate fair investigations,” the statement reads further.
