Srinagar, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of failing to deliver development and attempting to divert public attention from its shortcomings.
Addressing a protest gathering at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Sharma said people had made up their minds about the government’s performance and demanded that it either fulfil its promises or step down.
“People have made up their mind. Either they should work during the remaining three years of their term or they should leave the chair,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his remarks on the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharma said the chief minister should recognise the stature of the Prime Minister and wait for the appropriate time for his statements to translate into action.
“He does not know that the country’s Prime Minister is respected across the world and one should wait for the appropriate time for the things he says to take effect,” Sharma said.
Taking aim at the administration’s record, he asked, “What can be expected from such a chief minister?” Sharma alleged that the government had failed to deliver the expected development during its two years in office and was now attempting to divert public attention.
“In the two-year period, the development that has not taken place through him, attempts have been made and are being made to divert the attention of the people. People will not forgive them,” he said.
Sharma also accused the National Conference government of effectively giving Pakistan a “clean chit” whenever an incident occurs in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Whenever such an incident happens here, it is said that the central government is trying to spoil the atmosphere here,” he said, adding, “The BJP will never tolerate those who directly give a clean chit to Pakistan.”
Asked whether the protest could put pressure on the National Conference government, Sharma said the BJP was not concerned about the immediate political impact of the demonstration, claiming instead that public sentiment was turning against the government.
“It does not matter to us. People have made up their mind,” he said.
Sharma claimed that more than 10,000 BJP workers and members of the public had gathered at Lal Chowk for the protest. Referring to the historical significance of the site, he said, “This is the same historic Lal Chowk where at one time even hoisting the Tricolour of Bharat Mata was stopped.”
He said the presence of thousands of people demonstrated a clear demand for better governance.
“Today you can see that thousands of people have gathered and, in a good atmosphere, you can see how people have made up their mind that the government should either work or leave the chair,” Sharma said.
