JAMMU: Predicting that the ruling National Conference will split “very soon” because of the “misdeeds” of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the BJP on Wednesday expressed anguish over the alleged neglect of the Jammu region in general, and the Hindu community in particular, in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.
J&K BJP chief spokesperson senior advocate Sunil Sethi, while addressing a joint press conference along with party spokespersons, Dr Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia, Zorawar Singh Jamwal and advocate Parimoksh Seth at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, said the party had already predicted that the NC’s disintegration would begin the day Omar Abdullah reshuffled his Cabinet. “That prediction is now coming true,” he said.
Sethi noted that when the Council of Ministers had six members, three were from Jammu. “We expected that at least one of the three vacant berths would go to Jammu and that Hindu representation would be increased. Instead, the reshuffle has hurt the sentiments of the people of Jammu, especially the Hindus,” he said.
Pointing out that only one Hindu face remains in the Cabinet, he questioned why Satish Sharma was dropped. “He faced the fewest allegations of corruption. Is the NC trying to say there is no place for a person with a clean image? We are not here to give certificates to anyone, but those facing serious allegations have been retained, while a clean-image minister has been dropped,” he said.
He added that if the NC wanted to drop Satish Sharma, it should at least have accommodated its other Hindu MLAs. “What message has the government given to the people of Jammu? The plains of Jammu have no representation in the Council of Ministers. How can the people of Jammu expect justice from this government?” he asked.
Sr. Adv. Sunil Sethi said the events within the NC after the reshuffle clearly indicated that the party was headed for a split and could be wiped out from J&K’s political scene. He pointed to NC leaders openly opposing the party leadership and supporters shouting slogans against the party. “Many are not speaking publicly, but there is strong resentment within the party,” he claimed.
He alleged that the NC had tried to contain the rift by accommodating senior leaders loyal to Omar Abdullah. “This is not a Cabinet of the government but a kitchen cabinet,” he said.
Taking a sharp dig at the Chief Minister, Sethi alleged that Omar Abdullah had “converted the National Conference into the Muslim Conference.” “Is this government meant for only one region? How can a region that has been completely ignored in the power-sharing expect justice?” he asked.
He further alleged that Omar wanted to “punish” the Hindu community for voting for the BJP. “The coming time is dangerous. Many of those who have been made ministers are under a cloud of corruption, while those with the least allegations were left out,” he said.
Sethi said the BJP strongly condemned the reshuffle and the “denial of due representation” to the people of Jammu, particularly the Hindu community.
“Omar Abdullah is himself playing the dominant role in demolishing the National Conference,” he said.
