Srinagar, Jul 10 (KNO): Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday described the ruling National Conference (NC)-led government’s proposed statehood protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as an “eye wash” aimed at diverting public attention from alleged corruption, unfulfilled election promises and the “appointment scam.”
Addressing a press conference here Sharma, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), questioned the fate of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s promised signature campaign for restoration of statehood.
“What happened to the signature campaign for restoration of statehood that the Chief Minister had promised last year?” he asked, alleging that the ruling dispensation was using the statehood issue to escape accountability over governance failures.
Sharma alleged that corruption had become rampant during the present government’s tenure, claiming that transfers and postings had turned into a “money-making industry” and accusing ministers and officials of collecting money through official processes.
He urged independent investigating agencies to probe the allegations, saying it was the responsibility of agencies to investigate while it remained the Opposition’s duty to raise issues concerning the public.
Targeting the government’s outsourcing policy, Sharma termed it an “appointment scam”, alleging that deserving and meritorious youth were being denied employment while appointments were allegedly being made through the backdoor.
“This is not merely a backdoor entry; it is an appointment scandal. First people are appointed through outsourcing and later demands are raised for their regularisation, leaving deserving candidates deprived of opportunities,” he said.
Demanding an immediate rollback of the outsourcing order, Sharma warned that the BJP would launch a mass agitation if the government failed to withdraw the policy.
He announced that the party would soon begin a protest campaign from Kashmir with a ‘gherao of the Civil Secretariat’, saying the movement would subsequently be expanded across every district and region of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The fight is for the rights of the youth. We appeal to young people across political affiliations, religions and regions to join this movement against injustice and protect merit,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader also accused the government of reneging on its election promises, including providing 200 units of free electricity, 10 kilograms of free ration, one lakh government jobs and 12 free LPG cylinders.
“More than two years have passed, but people have received none of these promises. Instead of answering these questions, the government is staging political dramas,” he alleged.
Referring to the proposed NC-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Sharma said restoration of statehood remained BJP’s commitment but insisted it would come only through Parliament.
“Statehood cannot be restored through protests at Jantar Mantar. It is Parliament that has the authority to restore statehood, and BJP remains committed to fulfilling that promise,” he said.
Asked whether the BJP would participate in the NC-led protest in Delhi, Sharma categorically ruled it out.
“Why should we go to Jantar Mantar with thieves, fraudsters, looters and murderers? BJP will not stand with such people,” he said while rejecting any possibility of joining the protest.
Sharma also alleged widespread corruption in departments including mining and other government offices, claiming that money was being collected at various administrative levels. However, when asked to produce evidence, he said the government itself had admitted in the Assembly to making thousands of appointments and maintained that it was for investigating agencies to probe the allegations.
“I am not an investigating officer. My responsibility as Leader of the Opposition is to raise public issues and expose failures of the government. Investigation is the job of independent agencies,” he said.
On the National Conference’s appeal for all political parties to unite for the restoration of statehood, Sharma reiterated that BJP’s commitment to statehood remained intact but rejected the NC’s approach, alleging that the ruling party was using the issue to conceal governance failures and corruption.
He appealed to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to unite against what he described as injustice in recruitment and corruption, asserting that BJP would continue its agitation until the outsourcing order was withdrawn and the interests of deserving candidates were protected—(KNO)