BJP rejected by people for 60 months, they should digest it: Satish Sharma

Srinagar, May 23: Minister for Youth Service and Sports, Satish Sharma, on Saturday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was in New Delhi “on a mission” and expressed hope that he would return with something positive for Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Sharma said CM Omar was holding meetings in New Delhi.

“The CM is in New Delhi on a mission. He is meeting people there, and we are expecting that he will return with something good,” Sharma said.

On the BJP’s criticism that the CM was “missing on the ground,” Sharma said the party had been rejected by the people of J&K for the next five years and should accept the mandate.

“The BJP is in opposition for the sake of opposition. The fact is that they have been rejected by the people of J&K for 60 months. The feeling of rejection is hard to digest, but they have to play a constructive role as opposition,” he said.

The minister said political parties should rise above political differences and work collectively for the welfare and development of J&K.

“We should rise above party politics and give our efforts to make J&K beautiful and prosperous. I won’t go by what they (BJP) say about the CM,” he said.

Sharma highlighted the role of youth and sports in social transformation, saying that sports activities were being expanded across J&K to keep youngsters away from drug abuse.

“Sports is the only way to keep youth away from drugs. I will not discuss what we have done during the last months, but we all should play a positive role to channelise the energy of our youth,” he said.

Sharma said that the government was planning to host major sporting events in J&K.

The minister said J&K had already hosted water sports events and downhill mountain biking competitions in Gulmarg.

“We will hold similar sporting events in Sonamarg as well,” he said.

Sharma said efforts were underway to host Commonwealth-level Kho-Kho events in the region.

“We have called sports ministers here for four days. J&K will prosper,” he said.

Sharma also underlined the importance of unity and diversity, saying National Cadets and Corps (NCC) cadets represented the spirit of the country.

“Our NCC cadets do not believe in caste, creed, and colour. Diversity is our strength and NCC cadets are our ambassadors,” he said.

Referring to the tourism sector, Sharma said tourist arrivals in J&K had increased despite challenges faced in the past.

“People from many states are coming here in large numbers. One year ago, we had an apprehension that our enemy had harmed us, but our people are strong, and the tourists from all the states are coming to Kashmir,” he said.

Sharma said that he would serve the people of J&K as their true representative.

“I am the son of a soldier, and I say it with pride,” he said. “We will explore options to promote tourism in hilly areas, including Chenab Valley, Kathua, and other places. There are wonderful things waiting for our J&K.”