Madhav, Lone join BJP strategy meeting
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 27: Governor NN Vohra today assured a high-level BJP delegation that he will closely monitor developmental works of Jammu and Kashmir including the projects mentioned by the party leaders which, according to them, have been delayed by the previous Government. He reportedly said he would review the projects at tomorrow’s meeting of State Administrative Council (SAC) and also visit the sites to ensure timely start of work and completion.
Vohra reportedly gave these assurances to the BJP delegation, which met him for about an hour this afternoon at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar and submitted him a list of the projects which, according to them, required immediate focus of the Government.
The BJP delegation led by State party president, Ravinder Raina, comprised former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, Sat Sharma, Sunil Sharma, Sham Choudhary and Rajiv Jasrotia, all former Ministers.
Prior to the meeting of BJP delegation, party national general secretary and pointman on Jammu and Kashmir, Ram Madhav also met the Governor and discussed with him prevailing security and police situation in Jammu and Kashmir. This was Madhav’s first meeting with the Governor after imposition of Governor’s rule in the State on June 19.
Madhav, who was architect of PDP-BJP alliance, visited holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji shrine to review yatra arrangements as the annual pilgrimage started today amidst tight security arrangements and would last 60 days.
Sources said Madhav was reported to have discussed security arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims and situation in the Kashmir valley, where the Centre Government wants to act tough against militants to bring the level of militancy and violence down.
Later, Madhav held a meeting with BJP leaders in Srinagar. Significantly, People’s Conference chairman and former Social Welfare Minister, Sajjad Ghani Lone also joined Madhav’s meeting with BJP leaders including Ravinder Raina, Kavinder Gupta, Sat Sharma, Sham Choudhary, Sunil Sharma and Rajiv Jasrotia.
The meeting lasted half an hour during which certain “political options” were discussed, the BJP sources said but added that the Governor’s rule would continue.
“We only discussed the political situation and some options for the future,” BJP sources said, adding the party was in no mood to form the Government immediately as it wants the Governor rule to continue to bring situation to normalcy.
However, they admitted, the discussions did take place on what the BJP could do in future if the Centre wants the Governor rule to end and formation of political Government in the State. Sajjad Lone’s People Conference with two MLAs is a pre-poll ally of the BJP. Lone had been the Cabinet Minister in the PDP-BJP coalition Government from the BJP quota.
“Future political road map was discussed in the meeting to some extent,” the BJP leaders admitted.
An official handout issued by the Raj Bhavan said the BJP delegation raised with the Governor issues about non-implementation of assurances as well as decisions relating to a significant number of roads, bridges and other development works. They also complained about slow pace of development works and requested the Governor to direct concerned departments to speed up completion of all pending projects.
“The Governor assured the delegation that the execution of the development activities in the State will be closely monitored to ensure their completion within envisaged timelines. He urged the BJP leaders to work towards restoration of peace and communal harmony in the State,” the handout added.
The projects, whose list BJP president Ravinder Raina handed over to the Governor for start of work and immediate completion, included All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jammu, Government Medical Colleges at Rajouri, Doda, Kathua in Jammu region and two in Kashmir province, four laning of Jammu-Akhnoor road followed by double laning of Akhnoor-Poonch road via Sunderbani-Nowshera and Rajouri, Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Pul Doda National Highway, Akhnoor-Pargwal bridge, Ring Roads of Jammu and Srinagar, early disbursement of compensation to remaining PoJK refugees, Smart Cities for Jammu and Srinagar, all pending issues of West Pakistani refugees, construction of bunkers on Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), IIT and IIM, Tawi Front Jammu, Devika project at Udhampur, Shahpur Kandi and Ujj river projects, Chatter Gala tunnel, Inderipatan bridge and other projects under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
In addition, the BJP called for holding Panchayat and Municipal elections in the State and withdrawal of all cases registered during 2008 Shri Amarnath Ji land agitation.
Describing the Governor’s response to the demands raised by them as “very positive”, the BJP leaders said Vohra was concerned over delay in start of the projects and assured them that he would take up them at tomorrow’s SAC meeting and then personally visit sites of some of the projects to ensure early start and completion of their work.
It may be mentioned here that BJP national president Amit Shah had during his June 23 public rally at Parade mentioned delay in start of projects and discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh as one of the reasons for walking out of the PDP-BJP Government.
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