Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC)-led Jammu and Kashmir Government, accusing it of gross negligence in handling the recent floods and failing to learn lessons from the devastation of 2014.
At a joint press conference in Jammu, senior BJP leaders and spokespersons – Dr. Tahir Chowdhary, Rajni Sethi, and Zorawar Singh Jamwal – alleged that widespread encroachments, unregulated construction, and administrative apathy were the root causes behind the large-scale flooding that has left thousands homeless across the Union Territory.
Dr. Tahir Chowdhary, BJP spokesperson said the tragedy was not merely an outcome of heavy rains but also of years of unchecked land grabbing and mismanagement.
“Entire neighbourhoods were submerged on August 26. Families lost homes, belongings, and even loved ones. This destruction is directly linked to the way natural waterways have been encroached upon. Drains have been converted into narrow lanes, shopping malls and houses have been constructed on water bodies, and when nature reclaims its path, the result is catastrophic,” he said.
He held the NC- led Government responsible for turning a blind eye to illegal constructions. “Encroachers take years to grab land, but nature only takes seconds to take it back. Unless strict, permanent action is taken against the land mafia, this cycle will keep repeating,” he warned.
BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi accused the NC Government of indulging in optics instead of providing relief.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal, another BJP spokesperson, said the NC’s governance record reflected a consistent bias against Jammu.
“The Governments led by Kashmir based parties here have shown step-motherly treatment towards Jammu. Even today, relief assessments are sluggish, and victims are left in despair. If this Government wants to restrict itself to photoshoots, then it should admit its failure and step aside,” Jamwal asserted.
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