SRINAGAR, Sep 23 (PTI) – Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary asserted that the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir continues to confront numerous challenges while advocating for the rights of its residents despite having limited powers.
During a recent press conference in Ganderbal district, Choudhary responded to calls for his resignation. “There are some people who want us to resign. But we are not among those who run away. We are workers of Sher-e-Kashmir; we will struggle and fight for the rights of the people. We will not show our backs,” he stated.
When asked about fulfilling election promises, Choudhary emphasized the constraints of governance in the Union Territory. He remarked, “You have to understand that we do not have a state government. The special status and statehood we lost because of the PDP have left us with limited resources.”
The deputy chief minister elaborated on the dual governance structure, saying, “We do not have a free hand as we still have an elected government alongside an appointed administration.” This structure often complicates decision-making processes vital for development.
Choudhary assured that the current National Conference government is committed to addressing the public’s needs, stating, “We will fulfil all the promises made by NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. We are in the midst of a struggle. We have a five-year mandate, not just 10 months, to fulfil these promises.”
In a pivotal moment during the press conference, he confirmed that discussions regarding statehood and the restoration of Article 35A will take place in the upcoming assembly session. “We have discussed this in the cabinet meeting today. We have reiterated our stand on statehood, but you must consider the challenges we are currently navigating,” he remarked.
Choudhary also criticized the previous ruling coalition of the BJP and PDP for neglecting the region’s development. He stated, “They claim to have achieved significant progress in Jammu and Kashmir over the past 11 years. If that’s true, then why are we still facing traffic jams? Just because they did nothing during their tenure, it doesn’t mean we will sit idle.”
This banter framed the continuing political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, setting the stage for further development discussions as his government seeks to address pressing public concerns amidst limited authority.
