Srinagar, Feb 04 (KNO): Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Para launched a strong attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government in the Assembly on Wednesday, urging it to focus on issues within its control instead of "avoiding responsibility".
Para, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the ruling alliance enjoys the support of over 50 MLAs and must use this strength to engage directly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We understand that restoring special status and other political issues requires time. But why not address issues that are in your hands?” Para asked. “You were voted for human dignity, as developmental works were taken up during the LG administration as well, but what has actually changed on the ground in the last one year?”
He said stability should not come at the cost of people's rights and self-respect. “What was happening in the LG administration continues - employee termination, NIA raids, and attachment of properties were going on then and are going on now. It clearly indicates that your vision document lacks compassion and any roadmap for healing,” he said.
The PDP leader accused the government of showing aggression only against political opponents within Jammu and Kashmir while lacking the same resolve during meetings with central leadership. “You fight fiercely with the Leader of the Opposition and BJP leaders here, but that energy disappears when you meet the PM, HM, and others in Delhi,” he observed.
Para urged that constant blame games between the PDP and NC over past mistakes would not shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that since Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting J&K, the local government must ask him to engage with local people here, as Shah “always says he will talk to the people of J&K, not Pakistan”.
The MLA said that nobody is listening to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. "This has led to a growing sense of defeat among them, with unresolved issues of merit, reservations, and empowerment adding to their concerns," he said. “People are losing hope because fairness is not being delivered."
Para revealed that none of the 15 development works sanctioned in his constituency last year had been tendered, while ₹300 crore sanctioned under the Special Assistance Scheme had seen zero expenditure. “What is the fun of sanctioning then?” he questioned.
He also alleged that 28 departments submitted “copy-paste replies” in the Assembly, reflecting the same project status as one year ago. "This is a sign of stagnation, not governance," he said.
The PDP leader said that structural changes in Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative framework had weakened all legislators, including BJP members. “Today, all of us in this House are weaker than before, and there is no reason for Kashmiris to fight each other. The Chief Minister must fight for Kashmiris, not Kashmiri versus Kashmiri,” he said.
He claimed that smaller parties were being "silenced" in the House. “Don’t dehumanise us because PDP has four MLAs and PC has one. Democracy is about voice, not numbers," he said.
On the reservation issue, Para said it could have been resolved administratively through a Social Welfare Department order instead of prolonged political drama. He also proposed establishing two campuses of the National Law University, one in Jammu and one in Kashmir, to avoid regional controversy.
Alleging favouritism, the PDP MLA claimed that NC leader and CM's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani was given ministerial status and his son received a state award without justification, while persons such as Irfan Sarkar, who organised the Valley’s first day-night cricket tournament, along with many other deserving people, were ignored.
Following Para’s remarks against NC’s Aslam and his son, several National Conference MLAs raised counter-questions regarding PDP’s past decisions, including how Tasaduq Mufti was appointed as a minister during the previous PDP government, leading to a heated exchange in the Assembly—(KNO)