Sunil Sharma links statehood restoration to lasting peace

Jammu, Jun 3: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Wednesday linked the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with sustained peace and stability, asserting that the promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party remains intact but would be fulfilled only when the Centre is fully satisfied that violence and public disorder have become a thing of the past.
Addressing reporters, Sharma accused the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party of pursuing politics that, according to him, thrived on instability and unrest.
He claimed that there was presently no militant recruitment, no stone-pelting and that, barring the recent Pahalgam incident, civilians had largely been spared from violence.
“Statehood is the promise made by the BJP and it will be restored once Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are convinced that there will be no more bloodshed and stone-pelting,” Sharma said.
Turning to the ruling National Conference’s meeting at Dachigam, Sharma described it as a “floor test” aimed at assessing internal support for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
He alleged that Omar Abdullah convenes such meetings whenever he feels his position is under threat and predicted that similar exercises would be held again in the coming days.
“Mark my words, another such meeting will be called. Whenever Omar Abdullah feels his chair is in danger, he calls a floor test,” Sharma remarked.
The BJP leader also targeted the Congress party, alleging that it had lost its independent political identity in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Sharma, Congress had become a proxy of the National Conference and was functioning under its influence rather than pursuing an independent political agenda. [KNT]