Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), March 4: BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Tuesday lashed out at Kashmir-based political parties, accusing them of surviving solely by blaming each other for alleged ties with the BJP.
Sunil Sharma remarked, “Kashmir-based political parties survive only by blaming each other for being associated with the BJP. They continuously chant the BJP’s name and accuse each other. In the coming days, the BJP will only grow stronger in the valley.”
Addressing the sensitive issue of Article 370, Sharma stated, “Article 370 is no longer an issue. It is just a waste of time. It’s a closed chapter. BJP will give Jammu and Kashmir the status of a state and fulfill its promise.”
His comments came a day after Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) President Mehbooba Mufti criticized the BJP for its longstanding opposition to Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. On Monday, she accused the BJP of consistently opposing the region’s special status since 1947, adding, “Our own Chief Minister won’t even talk about it, simply saying the BJP won’t give it back. We are not asking for miracles, just for you to at least speak up.”
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring the Union Territory’s statehood. Speaking at the inaugural session of the J&K Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session, LG Sinha emphasized that his government is engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate the process of granting statehood. “One of the foremost aspirations of the Jammu and Kashmir people is the restoration of full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire,” he said. He also emphasized that the statehood issue holds both emotional and political significance for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.