JAMMU, Oct 17: Senior BJP leader Chander Mohan Sharma on Saturday urged the National Conference (NC) to move beyond what he termed the “Statehood Syndrome” and focus on governance and issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a press statement, Sharma said the NC had contested the Union Territory Assembly elections after assessing the prevailing political circumstances and seeking a mandate under the existing framework. He questioned the party’s tendency to attribute governance shortcomings to the absence of full statehood, while referring to the Centre’s assurance that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time.”
Commenting on the security situation, Sharma said terrorism had not been completely eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir, adding that efforts to eliminate the threat were continuing.
He said lasting normalcy would require the safe and dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims to their homes. He called for concrete measures to facilitate the recovery of properties allegedly under illegal occupation and the restoration of Hindu religious places in the Valley. He also suggested that ministerial teams visit migrant camps in Jammu and other parts of the country to interact with displaced families and assure them of an honourable homecoming.
Sharma further criticised demands associated with autonomy, self-rule, “Azadi,” open borders and a separate currency, stating that such proposals had no place in the present political framework of the Union Territory.
Referring to the NC’s resolution seeking restoration of statehood, he alleged that it appeared to be an attempt to revive the party’s 2000 autonomy resolution. He maintained that the present legislature was a Union Territory Assembly and pointed out that the Centre had rejected the autonomy proposal.
Urging the National Conference to concentrate on public welfare, Sharma called upon the party to focus on effective governance and ensure proper implementation of the Government of India’s Garib Kalyan schemes for the benefit of people across Jammu and Kashmir.