BJP criticises NC for boycotting UT foundation day

Jammu, Oct 31: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of J&K, Kavinder Gupta, on Thursday slammed the National Conference (NC) for its decision to boycott the Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day, calling the move a “disrespectful to the Constitution.”

The National Conference, under the leadership of newly-elected Omar Abdullah, declared its intent to boycott the day, which it labelled a “day of humiliation” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The party has consistently advocated for the return of full statehood, opposing Jammu and Kashmir’s 2019 transition to a Union Territory. In response, Kavinder Gupta pointed out the inconsistency in the NC’s position.

“The National Conference and Congress contested the recent elections, took oaths of office, and are currently enjoying the privileges under the Constitution of the Union Territory. But now they refuse to acknowledge UT Foundation Day. This raises questions about whether they’re misleading the people,” Gupta told IANS.

“Their opposition seems rooted in the fact that the UT was formed under the BJP-led government. If they objected, they shouldn’t have contested elections within the UT framework or accepted the oath. Their refusal now to participate in the day’s observance disrespects the Constitution,” he said.

Gupta went on to suggest that the National Conference and Congress Party should issue an apology, asserting that their actions were “neither beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir nor for their own political future.”