JAMMU, OCT 29 : Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday accused the BJP of hypocrisy over the removal of Independent MLA Satish Sharma from the Cabinet, alleging that the party had previously targeted both leaders by referring to them as “Satish Abdullah” and “Surinder Abdullah”.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism that the National Conference-led government had neglected Hindu leaders from the Jammu region during its recent Cabinet expansion, Choudhary said the party was now expressing concern over Sharma’s removal despite having opposed both leaders in the past.
“I feel sad that Satish Sharma is no longer part of our Cabinet. He was my colleague in the government until yesterday. But I am surprised to see the BJP shedding crocodile tears over his removal,” Choudhary told reporters while visiting the railway station market area, where a fire recently gutted several shops.
He alleged that BJP leaders in Jammu had attempted to get both him and Sharma dropped from the government and had previously labelled them “Jaichands”, a term used to describe traitors.
Choudhary Defends NC’s Representation Of Jammu
Thanking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for retaining him in the Cabinet, Choudhary said the party had honoured Jammu by appointing a Hindu leader as Deputy Chief Minister.
He argued that the Deputy CM’s position was the second-highest in the government after the Chief Minister and questioned the BJP’s criticism of the National Conference’s approach to regional and religious representation.
Responding to BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi’s allegation that the National Conference had become a “Muslim Conference”, Choudhary challenged the BJP to explain its own record on inclusive representation.
“The BJP talks about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. I want to ask the party whether it has appointed even one Muslim as a minister, CM or deputy CM in the governments it runs across the country or in the Central Government,” he said.
Questions Raised Over Hindu And Dogra Identity
Choudhary also objected to remarks questioning his Hindu and Dogra identity, asserting that his Jat background did not make him any less Hindu or Dogra.
“Is Surinder Choudhary not a Hindu? Is a Jat not a Hindu? If I am not a Hindu, then the BJP should explain which communities it considers Hindu and which castes it recognises as part of Sanatan Dharma,” he said.
Describing himself as a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and Mata Durga, he said the remarks had hurt him because they raised questions about the identity of the entire Jat community.
He also referred to the historical association of the Dogra community with Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule, stating that members of the Jat community had served during that period.
Choudhary questioned why his identity was being challenged when, according to him, the BJP had maintained that people of different religions in Jammu could all identify as Dogras.
Challenges BJP To Substantiate Allegations
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed disappointment with BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi, referring to his association with former legislator Krishan Dev Sethi, whom Choudhary said he had admired and learnt from during his formative years.
He also challenged the BJP to substantiate its corruption allegations against him and questioned the sources of wealth of some BJP leaders.
Choudhary alleged that the BJP had damaged Jammu’s interests and criticised the party’s response to the recent fire at Shiv Market, where several shops were gutted. He said attention should remain on the difficulties faced by affected traders.
Cabinet Expansion Triggers Political Row
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his Council of Ministers on Tuesday by inducting four new members, all from the Kashmir Valley. The move triggered discontent within sections of the ruling alliance and drew criticism from the BJP over what it described as a regional and cultural imbalance.
Following the expansion, seven of the nine members of the Cabinet are from Kashmir, while Choudhary and Javaid Rana are the two representatives from the Jammu region.
Independent MLA Satish Sharma, who represented Chhamb, was dropped from the Cabinet to accommodate the new inductees, intensifying the political debate over regional representation in the Jammu and Kashmir government.
