JAMMU, Jul 13: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma on Monday strongly condemned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s allegations that a BJP leader, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, had offered an NC MLA ₹25–30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of restoration of statehood in an attempt to topple the National Conference government, describing the claims as “baseless, wild and politically motivated.”
Addressing media persons, Adv. Devraj Sharma said the Chief Minister was deliberately levelling such unsubstantiated allegations to divert public attention from the complete failure of his government to fulfil the promises made to the people during the Assembly elections. He said that despite nearly two years in office, the National Conference government has failed to honour the commitments made in its election manifesto, leaving every section of society disappointed.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir voted with great expectations, but the Omar Abdullah-led government has failed to deliver on governance, employment, development, public welfare and other key issues. Instead of accepting responsibility for these failures, the Chief Minister is resorting to sensational and baseless allegations against the BJP to shift the focus from his own shortcomings,” Sharma said.Referring to Omar Abdullah’s claim that the BJP was attempting to dislodge his government, Adv. Devraj termed it another “lame excuse” aimed at creating a false political narrative.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed full statehood when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah served as Chief Minister, when Dr. Farooq Abdullah headed the government and even during Omar Abdullah’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister. However, he alleged that despite holding office during those periods, the National Conference leadership failed to bring about visible and lasting development for the people of the Union Territory.
Adv. Devraj Sharma further pointed out that except for the Home Department, which remains under the Lieutenant Governor, all major departments are being administered by the elected government headed by Omar Abdullah. Therefore, he said, the Chief Minister cannot escape accountability by repeatedly blaming the Lieutenant Governor or the Central Government for every administrative failure.
“The truth is that the Omar Abdullah government has failed on the governance front. Instead of improving public services and addressing people’s grievances, it is trying to hoodwink the people by alleging that the BJP and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are not allowing his government to function properly. Such excuses cannot hide the government’s inability to deliver,” he asserted.
The senior BJP leader also criticised the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the restoration of statehood, describing it as a mere “eyewash” and an attempt to gain political mileage.He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir, both inside and outside Parliament, that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time after the prevailing situation becomes conducive.
“Instead of staging political dramas in New Delhi, the National Conference government should focus on fulfilling the promises it made to the people and improving governance in Jammu and Kashmir. The people are watching and they will hold the government accountable for its performance rather than its political theatrics,” Adv. Devraj Sharma added.