Budgam verdict was referendum against NC Govt: Sunil
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 24: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while outrightly rejecting division of Jammu and Kashmir UT by carving out separate States of Kashmir and Jammu, today said that party stands for integrated J&K as a single unit.
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Setting all speculations to rest in this regard, party national general secretary and incharge J&K and Ladakh UTs, Tarun Chugh while talking to reporters at the sidelines of one day workshop for party Legislators here, said BJP is of the firm belief that J&K is a single unit and an integral part of India.
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He said even the portion of J&K which is under forcible occupation of Pakistan is also integral part of J&K as well as India. This is the clear stand of the party and there are no two thoughts on the same.
Chugh, in response to a question, that some party legislators have made demand for a separate Jammu State, said “I admit that Abdullah Government is indulging in regional discrimination but our party stands that J&K is one unit”.
Chugh said it is not first time but whenever Abdullahs came to power in J&K they subjects its people to regional discrimination and disparity on the basis of caste to usurp the reservations of SC and STs. The Omar Government has reportedly framing a policy for the same which BJP will not allow to happen at any cost, he added.
Hitting out at NC Government, he said it has failed on all fronts and is silent on its poll promises. He said in the upcoming budget session of the Assembly, the Omar Abdullah Government should keep roadmap of its promises and performance before the people. This Government has cheated people with betrayal of promises, he added.
Responding to a question on the location of proposed Law University, Chugh said like AIIMS which were established in both the regions this issue should also be settled on the same pattern.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly (LoP), Sunil Sharma while talking to reporters also accused the Omar led Government of its failure on every front. He said during last over one year of this Government, the sufferings of common man increased manifold and he got no respite.
In response to a question what will be the BJP’s strategy on the floor of the House and will the party corner the Government during budget session seeking its resignation, Sharma said the party will corner the Government on all important public issues and its failure in fulfilling its various poll promises. But so far as the fall of the Government is concerned it has lost public mandate for its mis-governance on the day when it lost the by-elections in Budgam Assembly constituency of Kashmir valley. “This is for the first time after independence that NC lost Budgam seat where from Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was earlier elected. This was a referendum against his Government, he added.
Sharma also reiterated that BJP is against the division of J&K and the party considers J&K as well as the area under occupation of Pakistan as integral part of India and BJP is committed to get PoJK retrieved. He said the issues of power, daily wagers, contractual employees, free gas cylinders etc will be raised forcefully in the House.
Besides, Tarun Chugh, BJP J&K president and Rajya Sabha MP, Sat Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh and former Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur, Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, Leader of the Opposition in Jammu & Kashmir Sunil Sharma, general secretary (Organization), Ashok Koul, National secretary, Dr. Narinder Singh, general secretaries, Sanjita Dogra, Baldev Singh Billawaria, Anwar Khan, and Gopal Mahajan, addressed the workshop, attended by all MLAs of the party.
Later addressing the workshop, Tarun Chugh said that the Bharatiya Janata Party conducts such workshops at regular intervals to ideologically and organizationally strengthen its office bearers and elected representatives. He said these interactions are crucial to align leaders with the party’s policies, programmes, and vision, while also equipping them to effectively respond to the prevailing socio-political challenges.
Chugh stressed on the realization of the vision of a Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, with a strong focus on good governance, public welfare, and last-mile delivery of development. He asserted that such sessions reinforce the BJP’s commitment to nation-building while simultaneously strengthening the party organization at the grassroots.
In his presidential address, Sat Sharma underscored the strategic importance of such workshops in shaping effective and informed legislators. He emphasized that these training programmes are a regular organizational exercise of the BJP, designed to continuously upgrade the political, ideological, and governance-oriented understanding of its MLAs. He stated that the workshops help elected representatives remain deeply connected with party ideology, policy framework, and disciplined public conduct, enabling them to serve as credible links between the Government, organization, and people.
Sat Sharma further highlighted that BJP MLAs carry forward the ideological legacy of great nationalists like Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Pt. Prem Nath Dogra, and numerous unsung heroes whose sacrifices laid the foundation for national unity and the party’s rise as the world’s largest political organization.
Jairam Thakur reflected on his long-standing emotional and organizational association with Jammu, recalling his formative years as a party whole-timer. He remarked that a BJP leader remains a lifelong learner, constantly evolving through discipline, study, and service. He presented a detailed and practical roadmap for MLAs, emphasizing constituency-centric development, responsive leadership, and principled political conduct. He stressed that MLAs must act as solution-oriented representatives who raise public issues effectively while maintaining the dignity of democratic institutions.
Speaker Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta shared valuable insights into legislative procedures and Assembly functioning. Drawing from his extensive experience, he explained the technical aspects of Assembly proceedings, including rules, interventions, and effective participation. He highlighted how a well-prepared MLA can maximize legislative platforms to articulate public concerns, ensure accountability, and contribute constructively to governance.
Sunil Sharma presented the vote of thanks and offered a comprehensive conclusion of the workshop. He emphasized the need for a clear and coordinated roadmap for BJP MLAs to raise people-centric issues forcefully in the Assembly. He categorically stated that BJP legislators will remain uncompromising in opposing any form of discrimination based on caste, region, or religion, and will firmly uphold constitutional values, social harmony, and inclusive development.
Ashok Koul briefed the MLAs on organizational functioning and coordination with the party cadre. He stressed the importance of synergy between elected representatives and organizational workers to ensure effective public outreach and delivery of party programmes. He elaborated on upcoming and ongoing initiatives such as Assembly-wise Sammelans, the VB-GRAM G Janjagran Abhiyan, and other mass-contact programmes, calling upon MLAs to actively lead these efforts on the ground.
Deputy LoP Surjit Singh Salathia deliberated on the prevailing socio-political scenario in Jammu & Kashmir, providing a nuanced perspective on emerging challenges and opportunities.
Deputy LoP, Pawan Gupta spoke on the constitutional duties and responsibilities of MLAs within the Assembly framework. He highlighted legislative discipline, issue-based debates, and constructive opposition as essential tools for effective representation.
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