BJP is deliberately depriving J&K people of Statehood: Sadhotra

Senior NC leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra with workers after public meeting at Pathal in Billawar Assembly Constituency.
Senior NC leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra with workers after public meeting at Pathal in Billawar Assembly Constituency.

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Aug 10: BJP is deliberately depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate and constitutional right to full-fledged Statehood.
This was alleged today by National Conference additional general secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra while addressing a public meeting at Pathal in Billawar Assembly Constituency, organized by Ishar Dass, Capt Zakir Hussain and Raja Rafiq.
Sadhotra accused the BJP of betraying the people of J&K by failing to restore Statehood despite pledging the same in both Houses of Parliament and committing before the Supreme Court of India. He asserted that the people of J&K are only demanding their constitutional right and urged the BJP Government at the Centre to fulfill its promises.
He stressed that Statehood is not a demand of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah or the National Conference alone, but the aspiration of all people of J&K, with every political party supporting it.
The former Minister said dual control in a sensitive region like J&K hampers development and employment. He recalled how the people of J&K have always withstood challenges, whether during war or militancy, and said it is high time BJP rose above petty political considerations and restored full-fledged Statehood.
The meeting was also addressed by Mohd Ayoub Malik, provincial secretary; Sham Narayan Mehta, Kathua district president; Aisha Gupta; and Shallu.
Those accompanying Sadhotra included Raghubir Singh, district president; Naresh Bittu, district president; Ch Hamid, zonal president central zone; Rakesh Sharma, YNC president; Randhir Singh, district secretary; Aslam, secretary; Swaran Singh Manhas; Devender Singh; Jitender Singh Lucky; Gurmeet Singh Jimmy; Som Nath Taroach; Shabir Sambyal; Rohit Dogra; Abhi Jamwal; Sohan Singh; Anil Sharma; Karan Singh; Gurdeep Singh; Younis Ali; Nishaq; Amit Kumar; Akshay Kumar; Anju Mehra; Geeta; and Madhu.