JAMMU, June 14: National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary and former Minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, launched a blistering critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a public meeting in Muthi, Jammu North. Accusing the saffron party of abandoning the responsibilities of a constructive opposition, Sadhotra alleged that the BJP is currently engaged in a calculated campaign of misinformation intended to sow doubts regarding the stability of the Omar Abdullah-led administration.
Sadhotra characterized the BJP as a “frustrated political outfit” struggling to accept the recent electoral mandate. He emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have decisively chosen the National Conference and the leadership of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, noting that the BJP’s persistent rhetoric questioning the government’s longevity is merely a reflection of its own political insecurity and a growing disconnect from the electorate’s pulse.
Firmly dismissing the opposition’s narrative, Sadhotra asserted that the National Conference-led government is stable and committed to serving its full term. He framed the NC as the premier grassroots force in the region, arguing that the party’s historical commitment to public service stands in stark contrast to the BJP’s reliance on divisive and polarising tactics. According to Sadhotra, the BJP frequently manufactures artificial crises, claiming that society or specific religious groups are under “danger” whenever it serves their electoral agenda.
A central theme of the address was the urgent demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Sadhotra cautioned the BJP leadership that residents across both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region are united in this pursuit, warning that ignoring these fundamental democratic aspirations will only serve to deepen public resentment. He noted that the growing momentum behind this movement has clearly rattled the BJP, as the party fears exposure for failing to honour its own past parliamentary and legal commitments.
The former minister reminded the audience that the restoration of statehood is not merely an opposition plank, but a promise made on the floor of the Parliament and directly to the Supreme Court of India. He urged the local BJP unit to transcend partisan politics and act as a constructive partner by pressuring the central government to fulfill these long-standing assurances immediately, thereby respecting the dignity and rights of the people they represent.
Closing the meeting, Sadhotra reaffirmed that the National Conference remains steadfast in its democratic struggle. He pledged that the party would continue to prioritize the protection of the region’s constitutional rights and the collective interests of all communities. With the support of local leaders, including Tilak Raj Bhagat and Ved Parkash Sharma, the NC leadership signalled that their focus remains squarely on governance and the legitimate restoration of democratic autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.
