Congress our alliance partner: Dy CM

Srinagar, Oct 13: In a sharp counterattack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday said that the BJP leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have reduced themselves to “puppets of New Delhi,” and even Mehbooba Mufti appears to have joined their tune.
He added that Congress is an alliance partner of the National Conference.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar amid the ongoing political activity surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections, the Deputy CM accused the BJP of evading the real issues that concern the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Congress is our alliance partner. But the BJP people in Jammu and Kashmir are themselves puppets — and now even Mehbooba has joined them. Whatever they (BJP) received from New Delhi they just read it here in front of you. Even Mehbooba Mufti is doing the same. The language of Mehbooba Mufti and the LoP (Sunil Sharma) is the same,” he said.
When asked about the Congress not contesting the Rajya Sabha elections for the fourth seat, the Deputy CM said, there was still time left for filing nominations.
“As far as Congress is concerned, they are our alliance partner. There is still time for filing nomination papers. This is not the time to give you a final answer,” he said.
He criticized the BJP for focusing on rhetoric instead of addressing the real issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The BJP has never talked about the basic issues of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the National Conference (NC) that is raising the real concerns. We are talking about the restoration of statehood, and we want it back. Everyone is demanding it,” he asserted.
Highlighting the long-pending issue of daily wagers, the Deputy CM said the problem had persisted for more than a decade. “The issue of daily wagers is not new — it has been there for the last 11 years. But instead of finding a solution, the BJP is busy targeting the National Conference for everything,” he said.
He emphasized that the National Conference’s Rajya Sabha candidates would represent all sections of Jammu and Kashmir, not just party interests.
“Our leaders who will go to the Rajya Sabha will represent everyone in Jammu and Kashmir. We are committed to speaking for every citizen,” the Deputy CM added.
Referring to the BJP’s claims of winning all three Rajya Sabha seats, the Deputy CM said political overconfidence often leads to disappointment.
“They are the same leaders who had claimed during the Assembly elections that they would form the government. Let time decide who wins and who loses,” he remarked.
He also expressed hope regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, recalling the assurances made by the country’s top leadership.
“The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have both promised — even before the Supreme Court — that statehood will be restored. We remain hopeful that this promise will soon be fulfilled,” he said. (KINS)