Jammu: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured a delegation of senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leaders that the Government of India will continue to strengthen security, accelerate development, expand welfare initiatives and ensure good governance reaches every section of society in the Union Territory.
The assurance came during a meeting between Shah and a BJP delegation comprising National General Secretary, Rajya Sabha MP and J&K BJP in-charge Tarun Chugh, J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma and Lok Sabha MP Jugal Kishore Sharma.
The delegation briefed Shah on what it described as the prevailing governance, political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and raised a range of public concerns, including employment, civic amenities, infrastructure, welfare delivery and administrative efficiency.
According to a statement issued by the BJP media cell in Jammu and Kashmir, the delegation told the Home Minister that there was growing public dissatisfaction with the National Conference government over its handling of everyday issues.
The BJP leaders alleged that despite securing a popular mandate, the NC government had failed to provide what they described as responsive and accountable governance and was instead focusing on political blame games and diversionary narratives.
The delegation said issues concerning employment, civic amenities, infrastructure development, public welfare and administrative efficiency continued to require greater attention.
The BJP leaders urged the Union leadership to ensure that the development momentum witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not slowed down, alleging that the functioning of the present dispensation had affected the pace of governance and development.
The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir also figured prominently during the meeting.
The delegation maintained that the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah had significantly weakened the ecosystem of terrorism in the Union Territory.
The BJP leaders said the improved security environment had created greater opportunities for investment, tourism, infrastructure expansion and economic growth, besides strengthening public confidence.
The delegation also appreciated the successful conduct of the annual Shri Baba Amarnath Ji Yatra, crediting the security forces, civil administration and other stakeholders for ensuring the safe and peaceful completion of the pilgrimage.
The BJP leaders described the smooth conduct of the yatra as an indication of improved security arrangements and administrative preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah, according to the BJP statement, assured the delegation that the Centre remained fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He reiterated that the Government of India would continue to strengthen the security framework, accelerate development and expand welfare initiatives across the Union Territory.
The Home Minister also assured the delegation that the genuine concerns raised by the BJP leaders would receive due attention and appropriate action, according to the statement.
The BJP delegation also met Union Health Minister J P Nadda during its visit to New Delhi.
The meetings come amid continuing political differences between the BJP and the ruling National Conference over governance, development and the broader political direction of Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP has continued to target the NC-led administration over issues of governance and public delivery, while the ruling party has maintained that it is working to address the concerns of the people and fulfil the mandate received in the Assembly elections.
