Statehood will come, CM should focus to deliver on poll promises: Sunil Sharma

Jammu, Jun 26: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma has dared the National Conference (NC) to find ‘special status’ expression in the Constitution of India for J&K.

“Article 370 is a closed chapter. The resolution brought by NC during the maiden assembly session had mentioned about “special status.” Article 370 was not written there. So, they hoodwinked Kashmiri people in the name of Article 370 and 35-A,” he said.

“If NC finds use of the expression “special status” with regard to Jammu and Kashmir in the constitution, I will resign. I had dared it in the media in Srinagar also during the UT’s maiden assembly session. I stick to my word and reiterate it even now. There was the word “temporary provision.” My point is – they only tell lies and their manifesto is an example,” he said, while responding to media queries the other day in Srinagar.

With regard to statehood debate, the Leader of Opposition reiterated, “Statehood is our issue. It has been promised by our leadership. They are trying to snatch our issue. When the most credible leader, who is trusted not just in India but across the world, has stated that it (statehood) will be granted, why they (NC) are harping on it or looking for it. You (Chief Minister) stay there comfortably sitting on your chair. Statehood has been promised by us, will come, you focus on your work, delivering on poll promises viz., electricity, ration, cylinders.”

Taking a dig at the National Conference, the LoP said that the party had promised 5 lakh jobs during five years, which would mean one lakh jobs in one year.

“At least in the last six months, they should have provided 50,000 jobs. On that account too, they did nothing but definitely appointed the nephew of a senior NC leader. What’s this logic? Every time they say – we have a mandate for five years. If five years is the criterion, why has it not been applied in case of purchase of special vehicles (for the Chief Minister) at a cost of Rs 4 Cr or so? Why were the vehicles purchased immediately after taking over the reins of J&K? Why did not wait for five years for the purchase of vehicles too? What was the hurry?” he asked.

“Will they fulfill their promises in the fifth year? This reflects their intent. Those who have clear intent; they start delivering in the very first month or so,” Sunil Sharma, while quoting examples of Delhi and Haryana Chief Ministers.

Slamming the ruling government for having failed in fulfilling its promises, he said, “They lied through their manifesto. Within eight months, reality has come to the fore. NC had promised free ration, free power, jobs and gas (LPG cylinders). Free 200 units of power to AAY announced is from PM Surya Muft Bijli Yojna. It was already there. (Free) Ration is for only AAY families comprising four members and not below.”

Confronted with a query why BJP did not fulfill its promises when it was in power during the last ten years, the LoP threw a poser, “How are you counting ten years?” “Governor Rule or LG Rule is a neutral rule as he does not represent a party. The rules or directions given by them (Governor or LG) did not come from the BJP office. We were in alliance with PDP for three years. BJP was not there in power on its own. We had asked for a mandate for a double engine government during the last assembly elections. We did not win the mandate. They won the mandate and made promises to people. Now they should fulfill those promises. BJP will fulfill all its promises when elected to power, for sure,” he said.

In the same breath, he said, “During the tenure of the Lieutenant Governor (Manoj Sinha), excellent work has been done whether it relates to development or law and order or security. We really appreciate that.”