Says opposition must rise above political opportunism, supports transparent SIR process and institutional integrity; calls for responsible politics in J&K
JAMMU, Oct 30: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv Devraj Sharma has appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unequivocal commitment to serving the people of India until his last breath, describing it as a reflection of his dedication to public welfare, national development and the spirit of selfless leadership.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s address at Bhildi in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, where he inaugurated the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre and launched development projects worth over Rs 14,000 crore, Sharma said that Modi’s statement, “I will serve the people of India till my last breath”, reflects a leadership philosophy in which public service remains above personal and political considerations.
He said that at a time when the country is witnessing global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and challenges affecting ordinary citizens, the Prime Minister’s emphasis on protecting farmers from the burden of rising international fertiliser prices demonstrates the importance of governance that prioritises the interests of common people.
Commenting on the Opposition’s criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Sharma said that electoral reforms and the functioning of constitutional institutions must be discussed with seriousness, factual understanding and institutional responsibility.
He observed that the Opposition has every democratic right to raise questions about electoral procedures, but such questions should be addressed through constitutional mechanisms rather than allowing political disagreements to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
“Electoral rolls must be accurate, transparent and inclusive. Every eligible citizen must have the opportunity to exercise the right to vote, while ineligible and duplicate entries must be dealt with according to law. The SIR exercise should strengthen democracy, not become a subject of unnecessary political confrontation,” Sharma said.
He added that the Election Commission must ensure transparency, provide effective grievance-redressal mechanisms and address genuine concerns raised by voters and political stakeholders. Similarly, any allegations concerning the functioning of the Chief Election Commissioner or the Election Commission should be examined through appropriate constitutional and legal procedures.
Highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir perspective, Sharma said that the forthcoming SIR exercise assumes particular importance for the Union Territory, where the Election Commission has indicated that the schedule will be announced separately after considering the completion of the Census-related exercise and weather conditions in snow-bound areas.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir has a unique geographical and administrative situation, with residents living in remote, mountainous, border and snow-bound areas. Therefore, the electoral revision process must be carefully planned to ensure that no eligible voter is left out because of geographical difficulties, migration, documentation-related challenges or lack of awareness. Sharma stressed that special attention should be given to border residents, displaced families, migrant voters, senior citizens, first-time voters and people living in inaccessible areas.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have already faced several challenges in exercising their democratic rights. The forthcoming SIR must be conducted in a manner that inspires confidence among every section of society. Every eligible citizen must find his or her name on the electoral roll, and every genuine grievance must receive timely attention,” he maintained. He also urged political parties to cooperate with the Election Commission and actively assist voters in understanding the revision process instead of creating confusion through unsubstantiated allegations.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s initiatives in Gujarat, Sharma said the establishment of the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre represents an important step towards scientific livestock improvement, strengthening dairy production and enhancing farmers’ incomes. He particularly appreciated the government’s decision to protect farmers from the impact of international fertiliser price fluctuations and highlighted the importance of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi in providing financial assistance to small and marginal farmers.
He said Jammu and Kashmir, where agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and livestock rearing sustain a substantial rural population, can also benefit from greater adoption of modern agricultural technologies, scientific cattle breeding, improved veterinary facilities and stronger dairy infrastructure. He called for similar emphasis on rural entrepreneurship, agricultural research, food processing and employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for its youth and farming communities.
Taking a dig at what he described as the Opposition’s tendency to focus excessively on political controversies, Sharma said that the country needs constructive political engagement, accountability and development-oriented governance. He said that differences of opinion are an integral part of democracy, but political competition should not overshadow issues concerning national security, economic development, farmers’ welfare, employment and social harmony.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that his commitment to serving the people will continue until his last breath. This message should inspire public representatives at every level to work with dedication, honesty and accountability. For Jammu and Kashmir, the priority must be peace, development, democratic participation and equal opportunities for every citizen,” Sharma added.