Jammu, Sep 26: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday warned that any attempt by the BJP-government (Centre) to fiddle with the functioning of elected Omar-government in J&K or resort to horse-trading would amount to the “murder of democracy.”
The Deputy Chief Minister was responding to media queries after inspecting the under-construction assembly complex in Jammu.
Responding to a question about the demand of BJP legislators, led by MLA Sham Sharma in a press conference, about dismissal of J&K government for moving resolution concerning statehood and attempting to revive demands for autonomy and pre-1953 arrangement, endangering sovereignty and integrity of country, he slammed the calls to dismiss the government or impose LG rule, accusing the BJP of attempting to undermine democracy and the Constitution.
The Deputy Chief Minister threw a poser for BJP legislator(s). “Ask them (BJP MLAs), who has brought Omar Abdullah government to power by electing it – people of J&K or BJP? Only those who have elected us have the power to dissolve it (government). This government has not come to power through BJP votes or LG Sahib’s votes or through support from Delhi. We have been elected to power by the J&K people.”
“If BJP people are seeking dismissal of our government and imposition of LG rule, they should feel ashamed of demanding murder of democracy. They are insulting Dr B R Ambedkar. They (BJP) should first answer queries about the Election Commission (CEC) row,” Chowdhary maintained.
He asserted that Omar Abdullah’s government was formed through the constitutional voting rights granted by Dr B R Ambedkar to the people of J&K.
The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the elected government was not being allowed to work. Choudhary reiterated the government’s core demand for the restoration of statehood and special status, while highlighting rehabilitation efforts for shopkeepers affected by local developmental demolitions
“We are working yet they are obstructing our path. Our simple demand is the restoration of statehood and special status of J&K. BJP people are resorting to hooliganism. They are not serving the interests of people. They are damaging the cause of Jammu. Demolition of shops and kiosks of poor people at Nai Basti is an example in this connection. Omar government is rehabilitating them,” he stated.
Choudhary reiterated that the NC government would fulfil all its promises made to people.
In response to a question about the under-construction of the assembly complex, he shared his dissatisfaction over the pace of work.
“I’ve come here to take stock of the construction work presently underway here. Its completion is slated for next year. The contractor has promised to complete the complex before October in 2027. I’ve visited here a number of times. The work is going on at a very slow pace. So that’s why I’ve come here to ask reasons about sluggish pace and issue instructions to the contractors and officers concerned to expedite the slow-paced work and complete the assembly hall by October,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
He noted that the construction work of the assembly complex had been going on for the past 10-12 years yet it could not be completed. “Present government has expedited the work. Our government has also focused on completing Pargwal bridge at the earliest,” Choudhary said.
Sharing another significant development, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that during its last meeting on September 22, the J&K cabinet cleared the proposal allowing issuance of Fard of Gair Mumkin Khads, except those still serving as water sources, thus fulfilling a long pending demand of Jammu people.
“Fard of all Gair Mumkin Khads, which are not water bodies, will be issued by the revenue department to facilitate poor people and farmers. It will take three to four months to complete all formalities to put a proper system in place on this account. This is another significant decision of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government for Jammu people, after the decision to restore Darbar Move practice,” Choudhary said.
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