J&K Deputy Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) leader Surinder Choudhary today expressed faith in the Supreme Court of India and voiced hope that the apex court would deliver justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as it prepares to hear the petitions related to the statehood restoration.
“We have always trusted the Constitution of India and the democracy of India from Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Omar Abdullah, and we will continue to trust them,” Deputy CM Choudhary told reporters in Srinagar.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have faith that the Supreme Court will take into account the sentiments of all sections of society, including youth, farmers, labourers, shopkeepers, and those living in remote mountain areas.
“The Supreme Court of India will hear the cries of that young boy from J&K who is unemployed in every household, and the voice of that mother who raised her son with the hope that one day he would find a job,” he said.
The Deputy CM added that every hardworking Kashmiri, “whether an auto driver, taxi driver, labourer, or sand digger”, nurtures the same dream for his family, and that the court’s verdict should reflect their aspirations.
The Deputy CM said the elected government was in place for the past one-year under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, and it had been chosen by the people but continues to face many challenges.
“The Supreme Court now has to decide whether Jammu and Kashmir will be governed by those elected by the people, or by those who have been running it for the last five years,” he said.
Urging the apex court to uphold the spirit of democracy, he said, “We hope the Supreme Court will give a decision in favour of J&K, where brotherhood and hospitality are known across the world. The statehood that was snatched from us — not taken, but snatched — should be restored, so that every person of J&K can live with dignity.”
He said the restoration of statehood would enable every resident to live with pride and ensure that “the children of J&K get employment once the state is restored.”
The deputy CM also alleged a “nexus” between the Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, accusing them of deliberately stalling Jammu and Kashmir’s governance.
Yesterday, BJP leader Sunil Sharma said the Lieutenant Governor has approved 97 decisions of the Council of Ministers over the past year and asked the Chief Minister that if they are not getting pro-people files cleared, they would get it done.
“This means there is a nexus between the leader and LG sahib. Both are deliberately stopping the work of J&K,” the NC leader said while responding to remarks by the BJP Leader of Opposition. Choudhary said the LG should approve the Business Rules.
“Tell him (Sharma) the cabinet has already cleared the biggest file, which is the Business Rules of J&K. Get us that file approved…,” he said.
The Deputy CM alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP continue to share a “hidden alliance,” claiming that both parties are working in coordination.
“Yesterday, I was listening to Mehbooba Mufti’s statement — it was the same language being used by the BJP’s LoP. Their words and tone were identical,” the NC leader said.
He claimed that both PDP and BJP statements “come from the same place” and are part of a coordinated effort to “defame the National Conference government.”
“I appeal to the people of J&K not to forget that the PDP-BJP alliance may have officially broken, but it remains intact in reality. Whether it’s PDP, BJP, or any of their teams, they are working together against the Omar Abdullah government,” he said.
