Jammu, Oct 28 (KINS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised the recent Cabinet reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the Jammu region, particularly the Hindu community, had been denied adequate representation in the Council of Ministers.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, BJP chief spokesperson and senior advocate Sunil Sethi, accompanied by party spokespersons Dr Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia, Zorawar Singh Jamwal and advocate Parimoksh Seth, also predicted a possible split within the ruling National Conference, citing alleged resentment among party leaders following the reshuffle.
Sethi said the BJP had expected at least one of the vacant ministerial berths to go to Jammu and that representation of the Hindu community would increase. He claimed the latest reshuffle had instead disappointed people in the region.
Referring to the removal of Satish Sharma from the Council of Ministers, Sethi questioned the decision and alleged that the government had overlooked a leader he described as having comparatively fewer corruption allegations. He also questioned why other Hindu MLAs from the National Conference had not been accommodated.
The BJP spokesperson further alleged that the reshuffle had widened differences within the National Conference, pointing to reported dissent among party leaders and supporters. He claimed the developments indicated growing dissatisfaction within the ruling party and could eventually lead to a split.
Taking aim at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sethi accused him of concentrating decision-making within a limited circle of leaders and described the new Cabinet as a “kitchen cabinet”. He also alleged that the government had failed to ensure equitable regional representation.
Sethi said the BJP strongly opposed what it termed the denial of adequate representation to Jammu and the Hindu community and questioned whether the region’s concerns would receive due attention under the present government.
The BJP leaders maintained that the Cabinet reshuffle had raised questions about regional balance and political representation in Jammu and Kashmir. The allegations were made by the BJP during the press conference.(KINS)
