Jammu, Oct 29: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday accused the BJP of “shedding crocodile tears” over the removal of independent MLA Satish Sharma from the council of ministers.
Rejecting the BJP’s allegations that Jammu had been inadequately represented in the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet following the recent reshuffle, Choudhary questioned the opposition party’s change of stance over Sharma’s exit. “Not long ago the BJP attempted to politically damage both of us and sought our removal from the government,” Choudhary alleged.
“BJP leaders branding us “Jaichands” (traitors) and used labels such as “Satish Abdullah” and “Surinder Abdullah” to attack us politically,” he added.
“Those who tried to politically damage us and get both of us dropped from the government are now shedding crocodile tears over Satish Sharma’s removal,” Choudhary said, accusing the BJP of adopting a contradictory position for political gains.
Expressing disappointment over Sharma’s exit from the cabinet, the Deputy Chief Minister thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for retaining him in the government. He maintained that his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister ensured Jammu’s representation in the cabinet.
Responding to BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi’s description of the National Conference as a “Muslim Conference”, Choudhary questioned the BJP’s record on providing adequate representation to Muslim leaders in senior ministerial positions in governments led by the party.
He also defended his community identity, asserting that his Jat background did not diminish his association with the Dogra community. Objecting to remarks that he said had hurt the sentiments of Jat people, Choudhary questioned why his community background had become a subject of political controversy.
Referring to the region’s history, he said members of the Jat community had served during the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and maintained that his community background should not be used to question his identity as a Dogra.
The Deputy Chief Minister also challenged the BJP to substantiate its corruption allegations against him, urging the party to examine the financial interests and businesses of its own leaders before making accusations against others.
Pertinently, the political exchange comes in the wake of the recent expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet, during which four ministers from Kashmir were inducted. The reshuffle triggered a fresh debate over regional representation in the J&K government, with the BJP questioning Jammu’s share in the cabinet—(KNO)
