JAMMU, Jul 19: Senior National Conference leader Rajesh Gupta on Sunday, while interacting with a local news channel, slammed PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma over their stand on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Gupta strongly criticised both leaders for what he described as their “anti-people mentality.” He alleged that Mehbooba Mufti was still “following the terms of the BJP” by attaching conditions to her support for the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of statehood.
“The demand for statehood is the collective aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and should not be subjected to political conditions. If Mehbooba Mufti is genuinely concerned about the people, she should support the movement unconditionally instead of creating obstacles,” Gupta said.
Targeting BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Gupta said the repeated assertion that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time” had lost credibility. “The people have been hearing the same promise for years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave assurances on the floor of Parliament regarding the restoration of statehood, yet nothing has materialised so far,” he said.
Gupta said nearly two years had passed since the formation of the elected government, but the people of Jammu and Kashmir were still waiting for the restoration of full statehood. “The biggest sufferers are the common people, who have committed no fault. They are being denied their full democratic rights despite repeated assurances from the Centre,” he said.
He urged all political parties to rise above partisan politics and support the demand for the immediate restoration of statehood, asserting that the issue concerns the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.