Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 16: Deputy Chief Minister of J&K UT Surinder Chowdhary Wednesday said that a big responsibility has been put on his shoulders and that it was challenging to fill the ten years of vacuum in just five years.
Talking to reporters after taking the oath as Deputy Chief Minister of J&K, Chowdhary who defeated BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera constituency, said: “I have been allotted the Deputy CM’s portfolio which is a big responsibility on my shoulders. I will try to fulfil my responsibility to the best of my capabilities. It is very difficult to fill the vacuum of the past 10 years. I have full faith in the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah and hope to serve the people of Jammu region even though the task is full of challenges.”
He said the decision to take oath as the Deputy CM of J&K came to him as a big surprise. “I was informed about the development at SKICC only,” Choudhary said.
Choosing Choudhary for the post of Deputy CM is being seen as NC’s clever move to bridge the divide between Kashmir and Jammu regions.
Speaking to reporters, NC minister Sakina Itoo said she will leave no stone unturned to serve the people of J&K. “People have reposed trust in us and we have to serve them,” she said. Asked what would be the first step of the new Cabinet, she said let the Cabinet meeting take place, things will be clear
Javaid Dar, who won from Rafiabad seat, said that people will be his first priority. “We will have to work together and stay united for the development of J&K,” he said.
Satish Sharma, who won the Chamb Assembly seat in Jammu, said that he has gone beyond his expectations. “I am thankful to the Almighty that I will be working under the leadership of a secular leader. My priorities will be to promote tourism in my area, address the issues of Agniveers and resolve the peoples issues as my area falls in the border area,” he said.
He said that Omar has shown magnanimity by choosing Surinder Choudhary as the deputy Chief minister. “We will collectively work and ensure that Jammu people feel no disparity,” Sharma said.
