Jammu, Jan 1 (JKNS): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday pressed the Union Government to fulfil its assurance of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the promise made to the people must be honoured without any further postponement.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Chowdary as per news agency JKNS said the people of the Union Territory were repeatedly assured that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time, but the commitment has yet to translate into action. He maintained that statehood is a constitutional and democratic right of the people, not a political favour.
Taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Deputy Chief Minister said the party governed Jammu and Kashmir for over a decade but failed to deliver on key governance and development issues. He remarked that the BJP’s tenure left behind serious administrative and public welfare challenges.
Chowdary questioned the BJP’s attempts to seek accountability from the present elected government, stating that the current dispensation has been in office for barely a year. He said it was inappropriate for the BJP to question the new government without first accounting for its own 11-year rule.
He further said the elected government remains committed to democratic values, inclusive development and protection of people’s rights, and will continue to raise the demand for restoration of statehood at every suitable platform.
Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that reinstating statehood would strengthen democratic institutions, enhance governance and address the aspirations of people across all regions of Jammu and Kashmir. (JKNS)
