MT News Service
Jammu, February 13:
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla on Saturday accused BJP Govt of having failed to address the problems of the people of J&K and said that the miseries of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have increased manifolds after they cheated people of Jammu. He said that all the promises made to the people prior to the Parliament elections remained unfulfilled. Considerable time has passed but they have failed to fulfil any of the promises, be it the problems faced by the border residents, be it the problems faced by the farmers, be it the problems of refugees and Kashmiri Pandits, this government has done nothing to address those problems,” Bhalla said. While attacking the NDA government at the centre, Bhalla said that since the change of guard happened in New Delhi, the prices of essential commodities have increased manifold.”The prices of pulses have increased and it has become difficult for not only the poor but also the middle class to afford pulses. The ever increasing inflation is taking a toll on the common masses of this country,” he said. BJP leaders did not even provide basic facilities to people like roads, electricity or employment. If we can see, they are identified by two things — hypocrisy and double standard,” Bhalla further said.Bad governance has only deteriorated the whole situation in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP claims massive funds flow into J&K from New Delhi. Where do they go? We still struggle to have a proper infrastructure where basic needs like good roads, electricity, healthcare, education and many other things remain a distant dream, said Bhalla.
Former Minister on Saturday was interacting prominent person of Gangyal. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Block President Satish Sharma, Dist General Secretary Aman Bawa, Mohd, Nasir, Mehfooz Alam, Retd.SP VS Kundal, Mukhim Khan, Sajaudin Ansari, Mohd. Anas, Mohd Imran and others.
Bhalla said the situation in the valley getting deteriorated despite claims of restoration of normalcy by the government. Different decision regarding Jammu and Kashmir have been taken in the past 70 years by the Congress but every time the stakeholders were taken on board,” he said.The Congress leader said the Centre did not take the people and mainstream political leaders on board.”The government is viewing the situation through its own mirror otherwise everyone knows how better the situation is in Kashmir. Bhalla said reducing this state into UT, it is again a big fraud and cheating with the people of J&K, who had given massive mandate to BJP. The people from Jammu had never demanded UT. They had been raising voice for the separate statehood. For what they have been punished. If the people from outside would come to settle here and do jobs, they would prefer Jammu only and the youth of Jammu will be on roads in the coming years due to great unemployment problem. Bhalla hit out at the Centre and the state government alleging they had “failed” to reach out to the people to address their concerns. He also accused BJP government of trying to create a wedge between different regions of the state for political mileage.
Bhalla held BJP government responsible for the deteriorating situation in J&K, saying that due to the wrong policies of the government, “people are passing through a very difficult situation and living in absolute miserable way.Former Minister claimed the people have realized that they were “misled, betrayed and backstabbed by the coalition partners for the sake of coming into power”.The Congress leader said the people were suffering immensely in every respect due to misgovernance.“But the irony is that both LG Administration and Centre have miserably failed to contain the situation. Rather the wrong policies adopted by them have added more problems,” he alleged.He also lashed out at J&K Govt for “failing to curb unemployment”. There were announcements and official press releases regarding employment avenues for the youth but in reality state government has done nothing so far, he said.Former Minister claimed that with each passing day it’s becoming clear that BJP leaders from Jammu region have not been able to give a proper feedback to the policy makers sitting in New Delhi.
“It seems that the leaders of J&K BJP have made their national leaders believe that all is well in Jammu and there is nothing to worry about. They seem to have created a notion that whenever the Assembly elections are held in the newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir BJP would emerge victorious and the first Chief Minister of the J&K UT will be from their party,” he added. Bhalla strongly maintained that BJP leaders seem to be unaware about the ground realities.He alleged that BJP has been totally failed to genuine issues of the people from Jammu region while deliberating upon various day to day problems being faced by the public in the absence of any elected Govt. Bhalla stated that people had enough dose of mis-governance in the J&K for last six years, saying people have realized that they have to support Congress which can address their issues and fulfill their expectations. The people of Jammu displayed faith in BJP while giving them huge mandate from Jammu region with the hope that their grievances will be taken note of and discrimination with Jammu will end. However, BJP after forming Govt sidelined issues related to Jammu,” Bhalla said.
Bhalla said that BJP is responsible for creating social and political uncertainty in J&K and it can go to any extent to remain in power.Former Minister said that the foundation of the country has been laid on secular ideals and harmony amongst different sections keeping in view of the pluralistic character of the nation and those spreading hatred are weakening the nation. He urged people to defeat the designs of such forces who can disturb and destroy the secular fabric of our nation. There is a strong resentment among the people against this government as it has not fulfilled its promises made at the time of Assembly elections. Bhalla said that disillusionment of people with the BJP government is growing, as governance is at the lowest depth and development has taken nose dive in the past over six years. “People are realising the futility of electing a government that is not only insensitive towards their problems but also responsible in adding to these on every front”, he said. Former Minister claimed that growing mistrust among LG Administration and public has ultimately led to underdevelopment. Owing to growing economic and social insecurity due to Covid-19, all sections of society facing great hardships to cope up with this emerging situation. The mistrust has put the developmental works in limbo.The fake promises made by BJP Govt to the masses have also created anger among the people.
Former Minister said that double standards in merit, justice and honesty by BJP Govt have forced people change their notions about the difference between justice and injustice, good and evil. On the other hand, it exposed the double standards adopted by rulers in governance issues. Various challenges confronting J&K, he said Govt has failed in providing good governance and in building an atmosphere wherein various segments of the society live in peace and harmony. Describing Congress Party as an instrument of service to the people and having always worked for upliftment and well being of the people keeping aside their caste, colour, region or religion, Bhalla said that Congress Party has always defeated the autocratic behaviour of those who believe in suppressing or oppressing and victimizing the masses or opponents while in power. He said that Congress Party has always been desirous to take everyone on board with regard to equal development of people, adding Congress has determination to address issues confronting people of J&K.
