BJP’s Tarun Chugh Criticizes National Conference’s Promises in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 19: BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday called the National Conference’s manifesto a ‘bundle of lies’ and mocked the NC party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah for his promises to restore Article 370, 35-A, and statehood, likening these promises to ‘Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne’ (a reference to unrealistic or fanciful dreams).
Speaking to the media, Chugh said, ‘This (the National Conference’s manifesto) is a bundle of lies. From its highlights, it seems that the National Conference tied lies in bundles and declared them.’ He added, ‘To bring back Article 370, 35-A, and statehood is an expired injection. Patani Abdullah pariwar kaunsa mungeri lal ke haseen sapne dekhta hai.’
Chugh emphasized, ‘Now under no circumstances will we allow the constitution made by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar to be taken away from Jammu and Kashmir. We will not allow the rights and reservations given to SC and ST women to be taken away. As long as there is even one member of the BJP, we will not allow the union territory to be tied in chains. NC Vice President ‘Mungeri lal ke haseen sapne dekhna band kare.’
Ahead of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, to be held from September 18, the National Conference on Monday launched its manifesto, which promised 12 guarantees to the people of the Union Territory. The party’s Vice President, Omar Abdullah, launched the manifesto, which includes some huge promises like the restoration of Article 370, 35-A and statehood, redrawing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019; and the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
BJP’s Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir, Yudhvir Sethi, also criticized National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah for trying to mislead people of Jammu and Kashmir and ruin the Union Territory. Sethi said, ‘Omar Abdullah should speak the truth and accept that things that have gone will never come back. Secondly, despite losing in the Supreme Court, Omar Abdullah has been misleading people and that is the reason why there was so much terrorism, nepotism and corruption here.’
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also reacted to the manifesto, stating that the issue of bringing back Article 370 does not arise as neither Omar Abdullah nor Congress will come back to power in Jammu and Kashmir. Reddy said, ‘There is no question of either Omar Abdullah or the National Conference or Congress party coming to power (in J&K), then how will they bring back Article 370. Omar Abdullah will neither become Chief Minister nor will he come to power, so the issue of bringing back Article 370 does not arise.’
The first guarantee of the NC’s manifesto envisaged the restoration of the political and legal status of the Union Territory and said that the party would strive to restore Article 370-35A and statehood prior to August 5, 2019. It also mentioned that in the interim period, the party will endeavour to redraw the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. The party has also said that in the first assembly session, they will bring a resolution against the Centre’s decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status.
The second guarantee includes several promises, including the release of political prisoners, the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, a simplified job verification process, ease of passport verification, and an end to unjust terminations and unnecessary harassment to people on highways. The third guarantee will be a comprehensive job package for youth.
Speaking on it, Omar Abdullah said, ‘We all know the unemployment condition in J&K. After August 5, 2019, there was talk of reducing unemployment but it only increased. There was fraud in the recruitment process and the youths did not get the job. We are making comprehensive promises to the youth and going to address the unemployment issue.’
The party has promised to give free electricity up to 200 units. Omar said, ‘We will also address the issue of water and electricity and will give electricity free up to 200 units. Some will promise more but that’s not beneficial because they are not going to be in power in the future.’
He further added, ‘Regarding social welfare, we are making a special guarantee to the people. Under this, women belonging to the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) will be given Rs 5000 per month to support them. For the benefit of the common people, we will provide 12 gas cylinders after the elections to the EWS. The widow pensions will also be increased.’
The party has also promised to bring a comprehensive plan to solve the drug issue in the Union Territory.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Tarun Chugh -: Tarun Chugh is a leader in the BJP and holds the position of National General Secretary.
National Conference -: The National Conference is a political party in Jammu and Kashmir, a region in India.
manifesto -: A manifesto is a public declaration of policies and promises made by a political party before elections.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a part of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It was removed in 2019.
35-A -: Article 35-A was a part of the Indian Constitution that allowed the Jammu and Kashmir state to define its own ‘permanent residents’ and provide them special rights.
statehood -: Statehood means being recognized as a state within a country, with its own government and administrative powers.
Omar Abdullah -: Omar Abdullah is a politician and the Vice President of the National Conference party.
Yudhvir Sethi -: Yudhvir Sethi is a Vice President in the BJP.
G Kishan Reddy -: G Kishan Reddy is a Union Minister in the Indian government, which means he is part of the central government.
political prisoners -: Political prisoners are people who are jailed because of their political beliefs or actions.
