JAMMU, Feb 20: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday dismissed the statement of J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, terming it an attempt to mislead the people. He asserted that the Congress is a “spent force” that stands completely rejected by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and its leadership has no moral authority to speak on statehood.
Slamming Karra for accusing the Centre of failing to fulfill its commitments, the BJP stalwart said, “The Congress leadership, which is responsible for decades of neglect and misrule in Jammu and Kashmir, is now shedding crocodile tears over statehood. The people have seen through their opportunistic politics, and that is why they continue to face rejection at every electoral platform.”
He maintained that even in Delhi Assembly polls, the people rejected Congress outright, and the party failed to secure even a single seat. This is a clear indication that the nation has moved beyond Congress’s divisive and misleading politics.”
The senior BJP leader highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is fully committed to the development and empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and statehood will be restored at an appropriate time as already assured by the Union Government. “Unlike the Congress, which only made empty promises for political gains, the BJP has delivered historic reforms, including the abrogation of Article 370, paving the way for a new era of peace, prosperity, and equitable development in J&K,” he added.
Accusing the Congress of playing politics over sensitive issues, Kavinder said that the party’s hollow threats of agitation will not find any takers among the people, who have moved on from divisive politics. “Congress leaders should first answer why they failed to provide justice and development to J&K when they were in power for more than 60 years at the Centre,” he remarked.
The former deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and will not be misled by the theatrics of a party that has already lost its relevance.
