Srinagar, Sep 24: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has criticised Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma over his recent remarks concerning the Omar Abdullah-led government and the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Choudhary has repeatedly responded to Sharma's criticism of the government, defending the National Conference-led administration and questioning the BJP leader's assessment of its performance. In an earlier statement, Choudhary said the present government was elected by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and rejected suggestions that it was weak or dependent on external support.
The Deputy Chief Minister has also questioned Sharma's participation in legislative proceedings. In May, after Sharma said he would lodge a missing complaint over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's absence, Choudhary hit back by pointing to Sharma's own absence during the budget session. He said the Leader of Opposition had a responsibility to raise issues concerning his constituency and the wider public.
Choudhary has also accused the BJP of focusing on political statements rather than addressing issues concerning unemployment, infrastructure, water supply and other public concerns. In June, he said the government had been elected democratically and argued that its continuation or removal ultimately rests with the electorate.
The exchange comes amid continued political differences between the ruling National Conference and the BJP in the J&K Assembly. The two sides have traded criticism over governance, development, statehood and the functioning of the elected government.
More recently, Choudhary has intensified his criticism of the BJP's approach in Jammu and Kashmir. On September 11, he questioned Sharma over the posting of senior J&K cadre officers outside the Union Territory and criticised what he described as the BJP's record and approach in the region.
The latest remarks add to an ongoing political confrontation between the Deputy Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition, with both leaders using public statements and Assembly proceedings to challenge each other's positions on governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
