BJP started it, I’ll finish it: Dy CM over tender row

Srinagar, Oct 30: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary, on Thursday, came down heavily on the BJP lawmakers who created a ruckus in the House, raising issues about the alleged irregularities in the issuance of tenders and flood management.

Talking to media persons, Choudhary said the ruckus created by BJP lawmakers was a political propaganda to divert the attention of the people.

“The report is totally baseless and unverified. People can visit Nowshera and scrutinise the process through which the tenders have been issued,” he told reporters.

The Deputy CM said that if any official was found guilty, action would be taken against them.

“But I want to ask the BJP legislators what they have done for the people of J&K in the last 11 years. The Leader of Opposition (LOP) must answer who the people are who are given contracts for big projects in Kishtwar,” he said.

Choudhary said that he initiated a probe into the allotment of tenders in Nowshera.

“The department will constitute a high-level committee to probe the matter,” he said.

The Deputy CM said the LOP staged a drama in the House as they do not want to speak about the public issues in the Assembly.

“I am telling people of Nowshera to use their wisdom and assess my performance. I am the elected representative of my people, I will give my life for them,” he said.

Choudhary invited media persons to Nowshera and Kishtwar to probe the projects going on in these two constituencies.

“They (BJP) started it (allegations) and I will finish it. I will never compromise on my principles,” he said.

The Deputy CM said that the CBI must probe the execution of projects in Kishtwar.

“Let people know how projects are being executed and who is benefiting from it,” he said.

Choudhary said people of Kishtwar and other areas would give a befitting reply to the BJP for their dual-faced nature.

“They staged a drama to make noise, but did not attend the Question Hour. LOP’s question was at Serial No 4, which was about flood management. Had he been concerned about people, he would have attended the Question Hour,” he said.

The Deputy CM questioned the LOP for not raising any questions over damage caused on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

“They will not because their own people are involved in it,” he said.

Choudhary challenged the BJP, saying that the party should hold a debate on corruption for two hours.

“We will expose them. BJP is the most corrupt party and is simply blaming the National Conference to hide its own corruption of 10 years. Our hands are clean,” he said.

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