Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 14: The Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Altaf Thakur today criticized Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, for his absence at the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, questioning the internal dynamics of the ruling National Conference.
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During a press conference here, Thakur said that the Prime Minister had inaugurated an important infrastructure project in Aga Ruhullah’s parliamentary constituency, and Ruhullah should have been there. “It is our opinion that he should have attended because it is his constituency. I do not know what is happening inside the National Conference-where Omar goes, Ruhullah does not go, and vice versa. This is their internal issue, but as a BJP spokesperson, I believe Ruhullah represents Central Kashmir, and he should have attended the event.”
Thakur criticized opposition parties, particularly Congress, for their criticism of the Prime Minister’s visit and development projects. He accused Congress of being “allergic to development” and wanting to see Kashmir revert to its troubled past. “Congress has done nothing for Kashmir in the last 70 years. They want the era of stones and grenades to return, but the Prime Minister has worked to make Kashmir a peaceful, developed place,” he said.
Thakur also responded to Omar Abdullah’s statements regarding the foundation stone of the Sonamarg Tunnel being laid in 2012 under the leadership of the Congress Government. “If the foundation stone was laid in 2012, then by 2014, at least 10% of the work should have been completed. But the Congress left this strategic project incomplete. After 2014, under the BJP Government, work was expedited, and the tunnel was finally completed,” he added.
Thakur highlighted the significance of the Sonamarg Tunnel, which will allow tourism to thrive year-round in the area, significantly boosting the local economy. He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued commitment to Jammu and Kashmir’s development. “Jammu and Kashmir is no longer defined by terrorism. People can now move freely, without the threat of grenades or strikes,” Thakur added.
He said that the train should come directly from Kanyakumari to Kashmir without any interruption., “If the train stops in Katra for a while, it will eventually reach Kashmir. But our Government plans to introduce a direct train service from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. This will be possible in a few days, and we are hopeful about it. We appeal for this service to become permanent, as it would greatly benefit Kashmir’s accessibility,” he said.
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