Jammu, Aug 17: Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Monday staged protests at several locations in Jammu against the National Conference-led government, alleging failure to fulfil election promises and address issues related to unemployment, civic amenities and development.
Three separate protests, led by J&K BJP president Sat Sharma, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma, were held at Dogra Chowk, Maheshpura and Panjtirthi respectively before marching towards the Civil Secretariat through Shalimar Road.
Carrying party flags and placards, the protesters raised slogans against the NC-Congress alliance and burnt effigies of the government.
Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed along the protest routes and around the Civil Secretariat. BJP Mahila Morcha workers also participated in the demonstration.
Sat Sharma accused the NC-led government of failing to deliver on promises made during the elections and alleged that the issue of restoration of statehood was being used to divert public attention from governance-related concerns.
He said the BJP wanted the government to work effectively and would continue to act as a “constructive opposition”, but warned that the party would intensify its agitation at district, town and local levels if public concerns were not addressed.
Jugal Kishore Sharma alleged that the government had failed to provide adequate basic amenities, including roads, electricity and drinking water, despite repeated assurances. He demanded that the government take responsibility for its alleged failures.
LoP Sharma accused the administration of corruption and poor governance, saying the BJP had initially sought to confine its role to constructive opposition but was compelled to take its campaign to the streets over what he described as continued failures.
MLA Sham Lal Sharma alleged discrimination against the Jammu region and said the government would be held accountable both inside the Assembly and on the streets.
MLA Vikram Randhawa also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the government was more focused on protocol and political posturing than addressing public concerns.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Neha Mahajan raised issues concerning employment opportunities for youth, unemployment and commitments made to women during the elections.
The BJP leaders also questioned the NC government over its demands for restoration of statehood, stating that the Centre had already indicated that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time, and alleged that the government had failed to deliver on its electoral commitments—(KNO)
