Jammu, 11 August (H.S.): BJP is deliberately depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate and constitutional right to full-fledged Statehood.
This was alleged today by National Conference additional general secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra while addressing a public meeting at Pathal in Billawar Assembly Constituency, organized by Ishar Dass, Capt Zakir Hussain and Raja Rafiq.
Sadhotra accused the BJP of betraying the people of J&K by failing to restore Statehood despite pledging the same in both Houses of Parliament and committing before the Supreme Court of India. He asserted that the people of J&K are only demanding their constitutional right and urged the BJP Government at the Centre to fulfill its promises.
He stressed that Statehood is not a demand of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah or the National Conference alone, but the aspiration of all people of J&K, with every political party supporting it.
The former Minister said dual control in a sensitive region like J&K hampers development and employment. He recalled how the people of J&K have always withstood challenges, whether during war or militancy, and said it is high time BJP rose above petty political considerations and restored full-fledged Statehood.
The meeting was also addressed by Mohd Ayoub Malik, provincial secretary; Sham Narayan Mehta, Kathua district president; Aisha Gupta; and Shallu.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar