NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary hit out at the BJP over its demand for the dismissal of the Omar Abdullah-led government, saying any attempt to interfere with an elected government would amount to an assault on democracy and the Constitution.Choudhary made the remarks after reviewing the progress of ongoing work at the new legislative assembly complex in Jammu. His comments came a day after BJP MLAs, led by Sham Lal Sharma, demanded the immediate dismissal of the National Conference-led government.Questioning the BJP’s demand, Choudhary said the government had been elected by the people and asked what right the BJP had to seek its removal.“If anyone can dissolve us, it is only those who elected us,” Choudhary told reporters.He was responding to the BJP’s criticism of the government after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution in the assembly demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP accuses government of overstepping constitutional domain
Sharma had accused the National Conference government of attempting to revive an earlier political arrangement and challenge the constitutional framework.He alleged that the assembly resolution on statehood and related issues sought to revive matters linked to autonomy and the pre-1953 constitutional arrangement.Reacting to the demand for the government’s dismissal, Choudhary said, “…this means you want to resort to hooliganism and use force and coercion. That is exactly what we have been saying — that the BJP resorts to such tactics.”He added that any attempt by the BJP to interfere with the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir government or “block our freedom would amount to an assault on democracy and the Constitution”.Choudhary also accused the BJP of being “anti-democracy, anti-constitutional and anti-public”, alleging that its actions and statements were against the interests of the people.“When you oppose a government elected by the people, you are going against those who voted for it,” he said, adding that such conduct amounted to “treason”.
Deputy CM attacks BJP over assembly proceedings
Choudhary also criticised the BJP’s conduct during the ongoing autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.He said the government wanted to focus on its work, while accusing the opposition party of prioritising political confrontation.“They kept saying, we will corner them. But what did they actually corner? Instead, they themselves ended up in trouble after coming to the assembly,” he said.Choudhary challenged the BJP to explain what it had done during the first three days of the session for the people.“If the BJP is honest, let it tell us what work it has done in the last three days of the assembly session in the interest of the people,” he said, accusing the party of carrying “bundles of lies”.He alleged that the BJP had attempted to corner the government on social media but had failed to do so on the floor of the House, where issues could be debated through the constitutional process.
Statehood restoration remains key issue
On the demand for restoration of statehood, Choudhary said the absence of statehood had weakened the ability of ordinary people to have their grievances addressed.
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He also accused the BJP of using police action against sections of society, including poor people, shopkeepers and journalists. He alleged that shops had been demolished and journalists who sought to publish reports critical of the government had faced pressure.“If statehood is restored, I can say with confidence that these things will not continue,” he said.Choudhary further alleged that journalists, employees, farmers and students were being prevented from speaking freely.“If it were up to the BJP, they would impose Army rule across the entire country,” he said, while alleging that the party’s approach amounted to “hooliganism”.
✍️ Vikrant Kharwar
Vikrant Kharwar is the Founder and Editor of News Us Media. He writes about trending news, sports, entertainment, technology, and viral stories. His goal is to make news simple, informative, and easy to understand for readers across the United States and around the world.
