Satish Sharma blames BJP for expansion of liquor trade in J&K

Srinagar, May 15: Civil Supplies Minister Satish Sharma on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of expanding the liquor trade network in Jammu and Kashmir and said the party was now protesting against a situation created during its own rule.
Speaking amid the ongoing political debate over liquor sales in the Union Territory, Sharma said the present government would “clear the mess” allegedly left behind by the BJP.
“It was the BJP that spread the network of liquor shops in Jammu and Kashmir and today they are protesting against their own mess,” Sharma said.
“The government will clear the mess spread by the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. I am against the liquor and drug trade and everybody is against it, but liquor trade spread and bloomed under the BJP,” he added.
His remarks came a day after BJP workers staged a protest march in Srinagar demanding a ban on liquor sales and consumption in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also said fuel stocks in Jammu and Kashmir were sufficient and there was no immediate reason for public concern.
“Fuel stock is enough and there is no need to worry,” the minister said.
Referring to the broader regional situation, Sharma said geopolitical conditions remained unpredictable and authorities needed to remain prepared for any eventuality.
“The geopolitical situation is unpredictable and we can’t say what will happen, but we have to prepare ourselves for any eventuality,” he said. [KNT]