People don't want division but employment, development: NC MLA Surinder Chaudhry

Srinagar, Oct 11: The National Conference MLA Surinder Chaudhary on Friday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that it was treating Jammu as its personal property and the division created by the BJP devasted Jammu all these years.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting a Gupkar, Chaudhary said that BJP has no right to say that Jammu belongs to them.

"They destroyed Jammu with their narrative of Jammu versus Kashmir. Have they been given any affidavit by the people of Jammu that the region belongs to BJP. National Conference or any other party has equal right over Jammu," he said.

He asked BJP leadership to do away with creating division by peddling narrative of Jammu versus Kashmir.

"By raising slogans of Jammu and Kashmir, BJP has devastated our Jammu region. Our Special status is gone, statehood is gone. Why Himachal did not lose its special status and Bihar is still seeking special status from the government of India," NC MLA said.

He said people should not fall prey to the agenda of BJP which is aimed at dividing Jammu and Kashmir. "Jammu and Kashmir belongs to us, we are Indians and India belongs to us. Nothing more than this," he said.

When asked about the priorities following the formation of new government after 6 years, Chaudhary said that the issue of unemployment will be addressed on priority.

"The biggest problem today is the unemployment of children. In every house, educated youth are unemployed," he said.

He said the BJP leaders face wrath from the people for its failure to address the issue of rising unemployment.

"Besides unemployment, electricity supply and drinking water, schools, health sector are other basic issues which need to be included in the priority list," he said.

He said the condition of tourism sector was contrary to what was being claimed by BJP.

"There are so many issues which need to be addressed as we move forward. A vacuum has been created in the last 10 years by the BJP. It will take time to address all the issues in J&K," he said.

He said the NC leadership is committed to implement its manifesto in letter and spirit.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Wagoora-Kreeri Advocate Irfan Hafeez  Lone said that INDI alliance defeated the agenda of BJP and RSS across the country.

"The BJP had a dream that they would secure over 400 seats, but it was the Congress party that politically shattered that dream into pieces and prevented them from reaching the 400-seat mark. Instead, the BJP was confined to just around 240 seats," Lone said.

He said that BJP tactfully tried to win seats in Kashmir, but the people showed wisdom and prudence by placing their trust in the alliance for a larger cause.