Using Independence Day platform for politics ‘irresponsible’: Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, Aug 15: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Saturday called Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Independence Day speech “irresponsible”, alleging that the occasion was used to raise political issues instead of focusing on national unity, martyrs and the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reacting to Chief Minister Omar’s address at Bakshi Stadium, LoP Sunil Sharma, while talking to reporters, said the Independence Day platform should be above politics and should be used to honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters, soldiers and martyrs and celebrate the Tricolour.
“I don’t want to talk about politics, but I was very shocked when such a stage was used by the Chief Minister for political purposes,” Sharma said.
“This stage represents the glorious history of India. This stage is not the stage of a party or a person. This stage is for the glory of the flag. It is irresponsible to talk about politics here by the Chief Minister,” he said.
Sharma said CM Omar should have used the occasion to highlight his government’s performance and future plans, particularly issues concerning the people and unemployed youth.
“The way he repeated the incident of August 5, 2019, I felt very bad. Because any government tells about its performance and future planning. I don’t think the Chief Minister had any performance or future planning. It was totally confusing and frustrating,” he said.
Referring to Omar’s remarks on August 5, 2019 and restoration of constitutional guarantees, Sharma said the federal structure had instead been strengthened after the abrogation of Article 370.
“I am very hurt by this because today the people, especially the unemployed youth, had hoped that he would say something big for them and for all sections,” Sharma said.
Meanwhile, Sharma praised the singing of “Vande Mataram” at Bakshi Stadium, calling it a significant moment in Kashmir. “This is a great success after August 5, 2019, where in a place like Kashmir, at Bakshi Stadium, everyone showed their faith in Vande Mataram,” he said.
Sharma also praised the youth and security forces for their contribution towards maintaining peace and strengthening national unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address, he welcomed the government’s focus on youth and its vision of a developed India by 2047. “The foundation of the developed India that we are planning for 2047 is the youth of India. The government has decided to take the youth in a new direction, which is very welcome,” Sharma said. (KNO)