After the massive performance of the BJP in the recent Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, as it won 29 seats, the former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta on Sunday said that his party would play the role of opposition. He said the BJP would work towards smooth functioning of the government. But its first priority was to safeguard the interest of Jammu and its development.
“The BJP would play the role of opposition and ensure the government functions in the right manner. It will be a big challenge for the BJP to protect the interests of Jammu. We will ensure that development takes place in Jammu, ” said Gupta after the BJP retained its stronghold in Jammu.
Gupta, the known face of BJP in the region, also spoke against the treatment Jammu had received from the previous governments. Criticizing the Kashmir-centric administrations, he labeled them as “discriminate against Jammu and Ladakh always”. “The previous Kashmir governments have always discriminated against Jammu and Ladakh. Since the BJP formed the government at the center, we have ensured overall development,” added Gupta.
While the BJP is in opposition now, Gupta promised that his party would act as a strong voice for the people of Jammu. Pushing the government for a just deal and pushing back against every form of discrimination against them. “It will be our job to keep the government responsible and ensure the people of Jammu get the development they deserve,” he said.
Gupta also pounded on the Congress party, which won only one seat in the Jammu region. He accused Congress of hoodwinking the public and not doing enough for the region. “Congress has always discriminated against the Jammu region, and the public has given them a befitting reply. They have lost badly,” said Gupta. He went on to say that Congress relied too much on alliances. “Inki jo Mohabbat ki dukan thi, uska shutter band hogya hai,” he said, referring to the alliance politics of the Congress.
Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir was another aspect Gupta spoke about. He said the central government is committed to restoring statehood when the time comes. “Statehood will be restored at the right time, as mentioned by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,” Gupta clarified.
Gupta also spoke boldly on the issue of Article 370, accorded to Jammu and Kashmir before its abrogation in 2019. He said Article 370 encouraged terrorism, corruption, and dynasty politics. Article 370 has encouraged terrorism, corruption, dynasty politics, and incidents like stone pelting. “A government that is formed in J&K will have to realize that such a situation will never return. The Centre will ensure the security of the region being a border state,” he asserted.
The ruling National Conference-Congress alliance, crossing the majority mark, won 48 seats in the recent assembly elections held for the 90-member assembly. The NC won 42 and Congress 6. For the first time, the government held assembly elections after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Consequently, the political landscape of the region has changed significantly.
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, now an elected MLA, thanked the electorate for the endorsement. “I am very thankful to the voters of Jammu and Kashmir for utilizing their votes. Despite democracy not thriving here for the last 8-10 years,” he said. Abdullah commended the voters for their maturity and deliberation. Especially in those areas where attempts were made to divide votes through Independent candidates and smaller parties.
“Our duty has just begun now,” Abdullah said. “The voters have done their duty. And now we must work and be worth the trust of those voters.“
The triumph of the NC-Congress alliance also showed clear majority support in the Assembly. Though the BJP remains a strong player, it faces an uphill task in shouldering the opposition mantle in the ensuing years. As the NC is likely to form the next government, political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir head into a new phase. Where the BJP will continue to press for the interests of Jammu and push for development in this region.
ANI
