No compromise on issues like Article 370, cross-LoC trade
Nishikant Khajuria
HYDERABAD, Oct 24: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishen Reddy, who was also BJP Incharge for recent Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, today made it clear that New Delhi will work together with the Omar Abdullah Government in the Union Territory if the latter does not deviate from the agenda of development.
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“We have a commitment for development and restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of the party in Government there,” he said in response to a question by the Excelsior, here today, during an interaction with a group of mediapersons from J&K presently on visit to Telengana as part of Press Information Bureau initiative.
Reiterating that development and ongoing public welfare initiatives by the Central Government will continue till the Omar Abdullah Government remains positive, the Union Minister said that BJP and National Conference may have ideological differences but they were on same page in respect of developmental issues.
“They might have their own election manifesto but after coming to power, there should be no confrontation in respect of development and public welfare issues,” he added.
However, Reddy hastened to add that if the Omar Government makes any attempt to rake up contentious issues and demands like restoration of Article 370 or re-starting Cross-LoC trade etc, the BJP would oppose the same tooth and nail.
“We are very much clear on this. BJP will not tolerate if they (NC Govt) continue to say that they would restore 370 or send back Baba Saheb’s Constitution to Delhi,” he maintained.
Describing recent terrorist attack on non-local workers in Kashmir as isolated incident, the Union Minister refused to dub J&K as sensitive State and said that Pakistan sponsored terrorism is being dealt with security forces very efficiently.
“We should appreciate people of J&K for their enthusiastic participation in the recently held elections, which were incident free and recorded polling percentage more than several other States like Telangana,” he said and also expressed satisfaction over the BJP performance in Assembly elections 2024.
“We secured highest ever number of seats as well as the vote percentage and the results were as per our expectations,” he added.
Even as the Union Minister parried question over timeframe for restoration of Statehood to J&K, he said that BJP was not averse to restarting Darbar Move practice if the Omar Government initiates for the same. “If any such proposal comes from the Government, we will take a stand as per aspirations of the people,” he added.
In response to a question on long pending demand for starting Duggar Channel in Jammu, Reddy said that the Union Government would try to consider the same.
The Union Minister also informed that auction for blocks of lithium reserves in Reasi district would be held by December 2024 as per the set norms and guidelines. He said that the Government would also explore coal reserves in Kalakote and take necessary initiatives in this regard.
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