Jammu, Oct 10 (KINS): Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Friday dismissed the National Conference’s (NC) claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was interested in forming an alliance with it, saying it was NC’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who approached BJP leaders in New Delhi expressing willingness to join hands.
Talking to a news reporter in Jammu, according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Sharma said, “We never approached the NC for any alliance. Instead, some NC leaders, including Omar Abdullah, visited BJP leaders in New Delhi and showed interest in forming an alliance.
Tell NC leaders if any BJP leader approached them. It was Omar Abdullah and others who knocked on BJP leaders’ doors, offered shawls, and even shared meals.”
Sharma’s remarks came in response to NC’s statement that the BJP was willing to form an alliance and would have granted statehood to Jammu and Kashmir if the two parties had joined hands.
The BJP leader also clarified that his party was not defending the office of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), as alleged by NC leaders, but was instead highlighting public issues. “The LG office has approved 97 files passed in 16 cabinet meetings. The business rules file is not with the LG office—it is lying with the Chief Minister’s office. The NC leaders are misleading people by saying the file is pending with the LG,” Sharma claimed.
He also accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of misusing administrative powers. “The NC government has made over 500 transfers of JKAS officers. They have all the powers, but they are failing to fulfill the promises made to the people. Instead, they keep repeating that statehood has not been restored,” Sharma said.
Taking a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Surindar Chowdhary, the BJP leader said he would refrain from making personal remarks. “We don’t want to make any inappropriate comments against him since he holds one of the highest positions in the administration. I won’t comment on his deeds,” he added.
A day earlier, Deputy CM Surindar Chowdhary had criticized Sunil Sharma, saying the NC was not the only party concerned about the restoration of statehood. “Everyone in J&K wants statehood. Sunil Sharma should first explain what BJP has done in the last eleven years,” Chowdhary had said. (KINS)
