Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 27: Accusing the BJP of destroying the trade, tourism and economy of the erstwhile princely Dogra State of the country by robbing of its statehood status, Chairman JKNPP and former Minister Harshdev Singh today called for an open debate and probe how the saffron party managed to emerge as the single largest party in the recent DDC polls.
“With nothing to show to the people as its achievement, it still managed to emerge as the single largest party in the recent DDC polls. Should it not be the subject of an open debate and a probe by the SEC and civil society?” he said while addressing a convention of party workers in District Udhampur alongwith State President and Ex-MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia.
Harshdev lambasted the BJP for having done the greatest disservice to J&K by demoting it to the level of UT. “The extension of several draconian laws after abrogation of Art 370 including opening of lands and jobs to outsiders had in particular, come as a rude shocker for the people of J&K. The Dogras were the most disappointed lot as the BJP failed to even announce holiday on the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh, the legendary ruler of J&K. The unemployed youth of Jammu region have been the most disappointed lot with their share in services have been abysmally reduced. The daily wagers, the contractuals, the underemployed have all felt cheated in BJP regime and voted against it but still it won the DDC polls. It was surely miraculous”, said Singh.
Balwant Singh Mankotia alleged that the democracy has been trampled and murdered in J&K. He said that with Toll Plazas having been erected all across Jammu and 4G having been reduced to 2G, the aversion of people and the youth in particular towards the policies of the Govt was clearly visible. “How could BJP manage to win the seats in such a situation? This has raised eyebrows and caused apprehensions among the people. The BJP-officer nexus has robbed the people’s mandate to subserve the political interests of the Saffron party. It needs to be investigated and brought to fore so as to retain the public faith in the electoral democracy”, said Mankotia.