Jammu, May 13: Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing it of misgovernance, corruption and ignoring the concerns of common people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing reporters in Jammu, Sharma remarked that the “headquarters” of the Omar Abdullah government appeared to be located “somewhere between marathon tracks and Gulmarg’s ski slopes” rather than the Civil Secretariat.
“If you are looking for Omar Abdullah or his ministers, don’t go to the Civil Secretariat. You should look for them somewhere between marathon tracks and Gulmarg’s ski slopes,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader alleged that corruption and administrative failures had reached their peak under the present dispensation. He accused the government of being “meant for elites and not for the common man.”
Referring to the proposed lease extension bill, Sharma alleged that the government was working to safeguard the interests of affluent sections in Kashmir.
“Omar Abdullah-led government allowed the introduction of the lease extension bill to protect the interests of Kashmir’s rich, who have been provided land for peanuts. On the other hand, it has shut its eyes to the problems faced by the common people of J&K,” he said.
He further claimed that hospitals lacked doctors and adequate facilities, roads across the Union Territory were in poor condition, and people were facing heavy electricity bills instead of receiving the promised 200 units of free power.
On the ongoing controversy over the demand for a liquor ban, Sharma accused the National Conference of backtracking on its promises and termed the Chief Minister’s remarks on the issue as “arrogant.”
“This was not only a U-turn from promises made by the National Conference but also shows arrogant behaviour as usual. One of their MPs had talked about a liquor ban during the campaign,” he said.
The remarks come days after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that nobody was being forced to consume alcohol and that people visited liquor shops of their own choice. Following criticism, the Chief Minister said his comments were being “twisted” by political opponents.
Reacting to a question regarding his recent remarks about the possible emergence of an “Eknath Shinde” within the National Conference, Sharma claimed the party was facing internal turmoil.
“The National Conference is a sinking ship. While its members are desperate to desert it, nobody is yet ready to accept them. I can tell you with authority this government will not last its full term and its downfall has begun,” he asserted.
Sharma, however, declined to comment in detail on the controversy surrounding alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, saying it would not be appropriate to speak on the matter at this stage.
