SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused the National Conference-led government of failing to address issues related to electricity, water supply, roads and employment, as BJP leaders and workers gathered at Lal Chowk for a proposed march towards the Civil Secretariat.
Security was tightened in the area ahead of the BJP’s planned gherao of the Civil Secretariat, with the Hari Singh High Street road towards the Secretariat closed and police and paramilitary personnel deployed in strength.
Addressing reporters near the Clock Tower, Sharma said the BJP protest reflected what he described as growing public anger over the government’s performance.
He alleged that the administration had failed to provide adequate employment opportunities to young people and claimed that access to jobs was being linked to contractors associated with the National Conference.
Sharma also criticised the increase in electricity tariffs, saying it had added to the financial burden on poorer sections of society.
He questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over promises made by the National Conference during the Assembly elections, including commitments concerning Article 370, free electricity and jobs.
Sharma also challenged Abdullah to seek a fresh mandate from the people on the issue of statehood, asking him to resign from the Ganderbal Assembly seat and contest an election on the issue.
The BJP had announced that its workers would march towards the Civil Secretariat as part of the protest. At the time of filing the report, the gathering remained at the Clock Tower and the march had not yet begun.
