Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 7: National Conference additional general secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has strongly criticized the recent withdrawal of security cover provided to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, calling the move “unprecedented, vindictive, and politically motivated.”
In a strongly-worded Statement issued today, Sadhotra expressed deep concern and questioned the rationale behind what he described as an “extraordinary” and potentially dangerous decision. He urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to publicly disclose the reasons behind the withdrawal.
“The withdrawal of security cover from a person holding such a high constitutional position is not only baffling but also sends a very wrong message about the State of governance and political conduct in J&K,” Sadhotra said.
He reminded that security arrangements for a person in such a high office are based on threat perception assessed by competent agencies. He questioned what had changed overnight to justify the withdrawal and warned that such arbitrary actions could endanger lives and erode public confidence in the administration’s impartiality and professionalism.
Sadhotra further asked who would be held responsible should any harm come to the Deputy Chief Minister, emphasizing that the move was not merely administrative but carried clear political overtones. “This smacks of sheer vindictiveness and political vendetta, something unheard of in a democratic polity,” he added.
The former minister Stated that the downgrading or removal of security for a sitting Deputy Chief Minister was “unheard of” in India’s democratic history and could set a dangerous precedent. He stressed that political differences should never compromise personal safety or the dignity of public office.
Calling for the immediate restoration of the security cover, Sadhotra urged the LG to consider the sensitive political and security landscape of J&K. “Security is a matter of professional assessment, not political convenience,” he said, calling on the LG to act with fairness, transparency, and responsibility in such matters.
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