Bandipora, Jan 29 (JKNS): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ashok Koul on Thursday strongly criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing the NC-led government of failing to reach out to the public in the aftermath of heavy snowfall across Kashmir. He alleged that while people were suffering due to blocked roads, power outages, and disrupted essential services, the Chief Minister was busy skiing in Gulmarg instead of supervising relief and restoration work on the ground.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a BJP workers’ convention in Bandipora, Koul said large parts of the Valley remained cut off due to snowfall, causing severe hardships for residents during the harsh winter conditions.
Koul also blamed decades of misgovernance by political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for the violence that claimed thousands of lives and left many women widowed across the Valley. Addressing party workers, he said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has significantly improved in recent years.
“Today there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Mothers no longer fear that their sons will be killed if they step outside. This change has come due to firm action against elements working against the country,” he said.
Targeting MLAs from Bandipora, Sonawari, and Gurez, Koul accused them of remaining absent during the crisis. “When snowfall cuts off villages, elected representatives should be on the ground with the people instead of staying away,” he asserted.
Koul further clarified the BJP’s stand on the political status of the region, stating that Jammu would not be made a separate state. “Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain a united state,” he said. (JKNS)
