SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Sunday termed the continued denial of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir the “biggest betrayal” by the BJP, saying the prolonged Union Territory status had undermined the democratic aspirations and dignity of the people.
Addressing a public meeting at Nardani in the Jammu North Assembly constituency, Sadhotra said people of Jammu and Kashmir had repeatedly been assured that statehood would be restored, but the commitment remained unfulfilled despite an elected government being in place.
He said the assurance to restore statehood had been given on the floor of Parliament and reiterated before the Supreme Court. The conditions cited earlier, including delimitation and elections, had already been fulfilled, he added.
Sadhotra also welcomed the participation of INDIA bloc constituents alongside the NC in the recent Jantar Mantar demonstration seeking restoration of full statehood, saying the growing political unity reflected wider acceptance of the demand as a democratic and constitutional right.
He said the people had exercised their democratic mandate by electing a government and that mandate should be respected. He alleged that the BJP’s “authoritarian attitude” continued to create hurdles in the functioning of the elected government.
“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 ambiguity surrounding the division of powers and the delay in finalising 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.
He maintained that the existing arrangement of dual control was neither conducive to administrative efficiency nor development, stressing the need for clarity of authority, accountability and responsibility.
“Statehood is about the rights, dignity and democratic voice of the people. It cannot be reduced to a political slogan,” Sadhotra said, adding that the people deserved an empowered and accountable government.
He also linked the prolonged uncertainty to the pace of development, saying decisions related to infrastructure, employment, public services and investment required clear institutional responsibility.
Sadhotra said Jammu and Kashmir had significant potential in tourism, agriculture, horticulture, education, industry and services, but this could be realised only through stable and accountable governance.
He said the NC would continue to pursue restoration of full statehood through democratic and constitutional means and appealed to political and social forces to rise above partisan considerations on the issue.
The meeting was organised by Gourav Singh Jamwal, in-charge of 12 panchayats of the Youth National Conference, along with Devender Raina and Karan Singh, in-charge of six panchayats. Several NC leaders and workers also addressed the gathering.
