![J&K BJP vice-president Surjeet Singh Slathia posing with Gujjars and Bakerwals at a village in Vijaypur Assembly Constituency. J&K BJP vice-president Surjeet Singh Slathia posing with Gujjars and Bakerwals at a village in Vijaypur Assembly Constituency.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/page10-8-1.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 15: Saying that the BJP is committed to socio-economic and political empowerment of the marginalized segments of Jammu and Kashmir, the Party Pradesh vice president Surjeet Singh Slathia today referred to reservation of seats for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community as a major and significant step towards their important role in the decision making.
“For nearly seven decades the Gujjar and Bakerwals have been deprived of this right by the successive Governments and the visionary decision of the reservation of seats for the community in the Legislative Assembly is in consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cherished slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”, Slathia said while addressing gatherings of Gujjar and Bakerwal community at village Paltha and Nud in Vijaypur Assembly Constituency.
Slathia slammed the so-called mainstream parties for cheating the Gujjars and exploiting them as pawns of their political agenda. Now after the reservation, the Gujjars can send their chosen representative to the Assembly and become masters of their own destiny. This has been possible only because of the inclusive policies of the BJP which believes in empowerment of all and appeasement of none, he added.
Referring to the issues confronting the people of the Vijaypur Constituency, Slathia said these are being taken up with all the concerned with focus on getting these addressed in a time bound manner. He highlighted the need for smooth functioning of the utility services by the line departments in a synergized manner, employment to educated unemployed besides skilled and unskilled workforce.
The gatherings were also addressed by the president BJP Women Wing Sonia Thakur, BJP State convener Anil Bhagat and others.
Prominent among those present on these occasions included Varinder Singh Lucky, Incharge BJP Block Nud, District vice president Mohan Lal Sharma, Vijay Singh, BDC Chairperson Jogeshwar Singh, besides Sarpanches and Panches of the area.