Jammu, Nov 06 (KNO): BJP's Jammu and Kashmir president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma on Friday described the National Conference (NC) as a "sinking ship", citing its recent electoral setbacks and reports of internal discontent within the ruling party.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the NC's performance over the past two years reflected growing public dissatisfaction.
"The fact that the National Conference has failed to deliver over the past two years is, in itself, an indication that it is a sinking ship. The party has lost two by-elections. In Budgam, the Chief Minister vacated his seat, but another political party won the election. In Nagrota, the National Conference forfeited its deposit. This itself indicates that the party is a sinking ship and nobody would want to board a sinking ship," he said.
Calling the differences within the NC an internal matter, Sharma said the resentment among some legislators was understandable as, according to him, the government had failed to address public grievances and meet expectations.
"Even the MLAs feel that by remaining part of a political party that has failed to live up to people's expectations and address their grievances, they risk being sidelined. People have faced difficulties and hardships, and their concerns have not been addressed. They know the party could be pushed to the margins and, therefore, their anger is justified," he said.
Sharma also targeted NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah over his recent remarks on Pakistan and Kashmir, accusing him of making such statements to remain politically relevant and appeal to his vote bank.
"Dr Farooq Abdullah always tries to remain in the limelight. He knows that Article 370 has been buried and Article 35A has been abolished, but for the sake of vote-bank politics, he continues to make such statements," Sharma said.
He reiterated that the BJP-led Centre would not restore Articles 370 and 35A and claimed that people had understood the political intent behind such remarks and would respond accordingly—(KNO)