Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday strongly rebutted Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s remarks describing the National Conference-led government as being “on a ventilator,” accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing the people of Jammu and Kashmir during its years in power.
Responding sharply to the criticism, Choudhary questioned the BJP’s governance record over the past decade and alleged that the party had left behind a legacy of unemployment, vacant teaching posts and inadequate public services.
“If our government is on a ventilator, then what were you on for the last 11 years?” Choudhary said while addressing reporters.
He alleged that the previous administration failed to address key public concerns and weakened essential sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
“You handed unemployment to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, froze teachers’ posts and failed on basic issues like water supply and hospitals,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
The remarks came amid escalating political exchanges between the ruling National Conference (NC) and the BJP over governance, cabinet expansion and the political stability of the Omar Abdullah-led government.
Earlier in the day, Sunil Sharma had claimed that the NC was facing an “internal disease” and warned that any cabinet expansion could trigger divisions within the party. He had also compared the situation to the split in Shiv Sena, alleging that the ruling party was internally unstable.
Rejecting the allegations, NC leaders maintained that the government remains united and focused on governance and public welfare.
