Srinagar: Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC), accusing its ministers of sidelining BJP legislators and questioning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s renewed demand for statehood. He said Omar’s statement “reminds people of an era when civilians suffered the most.”
Addressing a press conference, Sharma alleged that NC ministers deliberately ignore BJP MLAs’ concerns over constituency matters, forcing them to approach Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for redressal.
“Our legislators raise genuine issues, but the ministers don’t act. The LG listens and resolves matters promptly,” he said, adding that such neglect reflects “NC’s selective democracy” and weakens governance.
Taking a dig at Omar Abdullah, Sharma questioned whether his demand for restoring statehood was aimed at reviving the “era of fear and violence” under NC rule.
“Wasn’t statehood with you from 1982 to 2014? Do you want it again to repeat that dark period when schools were shut, innocents were killed, and fear gripped the Valley?” he asked.
He further alleged that it was the NC government that introduced the Public Safety Act (PSA) and pellet guns in Jammu and Kashmir. “The highest civilian killings took place under your tenure,” Sharma said.
Crediting the Union Home Ministry and LG Manoj Sinha for restoring peace and normalcy, Sharma said, “No local youth has joined terrorism under this government. That’s our biggest success — it shows faith in democracy and development.”
Refuting Omar Abdullah’s claims that the LG’s office withholds files, Sharma said, “Tell me, which Cabinet decision has been stopped by the LG? Whether it’s free electricity, LPG subsidy, or job schemes — all have been approved and implemented.”
He also alleged that key files, including appointments of the Advocate General, Chairman of the Board of School Education, and promotions in engineering departments, are pending in the Chief Minister’s office.
“Instead of misleading people, Omar Abdullah should focus on governance,” Sharma said, adding that the BJP will “continue to raise people’s issues both inside and outside the Assembly.”
