NC-BJP war of words hots up
NC on ventilator, cabinet expansion will split party: Sunil Sharma
Govt elected by people, not nominated: Dy CM
Srinagar: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday alleged that the National Conference (NC) is “on a ventilator” due to an internal “disease” and warned that any “expansion” would lead to a vertical split in the party.
The senior BJP leader claimed that only a few individuals, assigned the task of speaking against the BJP, are responsible for infecting the NC’s internal health. He linked the recent protests at the NC headquarters, Nawai-e-Subah, to the deepening crisis.
“Whatever happened at the NC headquarters is because of those who have been given the duty to speak against us. That is the reason for that disease,” he added.
LoP Sharma asserted that the malady had spread beyond cure.
“If they do a small expansion, there will be two outbreaks. The National Conference will be divided into two parts. It will fall like a bag. The disease has gone so deep that they have no cure,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with the Shiv Sena’s split, he said the party had created the crisis itself.
“Two Shiv Senas were made by themselves. No matter how much they try, the house is broken. There is a major hole in it, and at any time you will see that this wall has fallen,” Sharma said.
He, however, ruled out any intervention from his side. “Neither do we believe in it nor will we promote it,” he added.
Reacting to Sharma’s allegations, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary hit back at Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma over his remarks that the National Conference-led government was “on ventilator support”, saying the ruling dispensation was elected by the people in accordance with the Constitution of India.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a polytechnic and ITI institution, Choudhary said the focus of the government was on strengthening skill education and employment opportunities for youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Polytechnics and ITIs prepare skilled children. We want good subjects and courses so that students study well and get employment,” he said, while urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to introduce more job-oriented courses in technical institutions.
Responding to Sharma’s remarks, the deputy chief minister said he could only “laugh” at such statements.
“Sometimes he makes good jokes. He has come from a long distance and perhaps does not understand the real issues of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Choudhary said.
He accused previous BJP-PDP governments of failing to address unemployment and basic public issues in the Union Territory.
“For the last 11-12 years, unemployment increased under your governments. You do not talk about unemployed youth or the lack of basic facilities in hospitals,” he said.
Choudhary also alleged that the Jal Jeevan Mission launched during the previous administration had failed to provide adequate drinking water to people.
“You established the Jal Jeevan Mission, but people are still not getting water. We are trying to fix those problems,” he said.
The deputy chief minister further alleged that teaching posts were frozen during the previous regime, affecting employment opportunities for youth.
“We are not nominated or selected. We are elected representatives chosen under the Constitution of India,” he added. (KNS)
