SRINAGAR, Sep 23 (PTI) — Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary firmly stated that the elected government in the Union Territory will not resign amid numerous challenges. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Ganderbal, Choudhary emphasized the importance of standing strong for the rights of the people.
“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,” Choudhary declared.
The Deputy Chief Minister responded to concerns regarding the government’s ability to fulfill its election promises. He pointed out the limitations faced by the current administration due to its status as a Union Territory (UT). “We do not have a state government. The gift we got from the PDP in the past, the special status and statehood we lost because of the PDP, it has resulted in a UT government that has limited resources and limited powers,” he explained.
Choudhary highlighted the dual governance system currently in place, stating, “We do not have a free hand as we still have a dual governance system in which there is an elected government and an appointed administration.”
Despite these obstacles, the Deputy Chief Minister assured that the National Conference government remains dedicated to addressing the issues faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “We will fulfill all the promises made by NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. We are in the midst of a struggle. We have been given a mandate for five years, not 10 months, to fulfill our election promises. Then you can ask us which promises we fulfilled and which we did not,” he insisted.
In light of questions regarding the potential restoration of statehood and Article 35A of the Constitution in the upcoming assembly session, Choudhary confirmed that these critical matters were discussed in a cabinet meeting held earlier that day. “We have reiterated the stand on statehood,” he noted, adding that the government continues to advocate for the interests of the people.
Choudhary also criticized the opposition parties, namely the BJP and PDP, for neglecting development in the region during their tenure from 2015 to 2018. “The PDP and the BJP are claiming to have done a lot of development work in Jammu and Kashmir over the past 11 years. They should be asked if you have done so much in terms of widening roads and improving connectivity, why are we still stuck in (traffic) jams?” he questioned.
He reaffirmed that the current administration will not remain idle in the face of past neglect, stating, “Now we are not going to sit idle just because the PDP and the BJP or the LG administration did nothing.” Choudhary’s inspirational remarks reflect the resilience and determination of Jammu and Kashmir’s leadership even amid persistent challenges.
