Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 9: Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the plea seeking restoration of Statehood, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chowdhary today expressed hope that the court will decide in favour of the people of J&K.
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Speaking to reporters here, Chowdhary said the people of J&K have always trusted the country’s democracy and Constitution and expect that the apex court will restore what was “snatched from them.”
“If we have that trust, then we hope that the country’s highest court will decide keeping in view the sentiments of the people of J&K,” he said.
He hoped that the Supreme Court would consider the “pleas and aspirations” of the youth and those “parents” who want their children to earn a dignified livelihood.
“J&K has completed one year under an elected government, and we (the Government) have been facing immense difficulties running the affairs. The Supreme Court will have to decide whether J&K will be governed by those who are elected or by those imposed upon us,” Chowdhary said.
Criticising the administration under the BJP-which ran the affairs before the elected Government-for “unfulfilled promises,” he said several projects started years ago remain incomplete.
“Those claiming that there has been change should answer why buildings started in 2020 are still incomplete. We aim to finish the works left pending for the last 11 years. Once that’s done, we will begin new initiatives,” he added.
Taking a dig at political rivals, especially Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Chowdhary termed him a “lollipop leader” who, he said, keeps questioning the Government’s functioning.
“We will present our five-year report card, but they should also speak about what they did in 11 years. They seek answers from us but avoid accountability for their own tenure,” he said.
“Jammu has faced destruction. Ask them what they did for the people they now claim to represent. They can’t face the public because people will question them,” he added.
Chowdhary said the foundation of his party’s politics is the demand for statehood.
“People have given us this responsibility. The Leader of Opposition says he will clear files-does that mean he is the LG? If he has influence, he should use it to regularise daily wagers,” Chowdhary said.
“They rely on lies; we stand with the truth. Do a narco test on him (LoP)- even he wants Statehood. BJP workers and voters also want Statehood because their children are jobless. People have realised they made a mistake by giving them 28 seats,” he said.
Chowdhary also said that the Business Rules file has been pending for a long time, urging the LoP to his influence. “If the Leader of Opposition has such influence, it would be better if he gets that cleared,” he added.
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