J&K BJP misleading Centre on Statehood, doing disservice to people: Rattan Lal Gupta

JAMMU: Provincial President of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Adv. Rattan Lal Gupta, has strongly criticized the BJP leadership in J&K for misleading the Centre on the issue of statehood restoration, stating that such deceptive tactics are a betrayal of the people's mandate and a disservice to the aspirations of J&K residents. In a press statement issued here today, the senior NC leader said that despite repeated assurances, the BJP-led government has failed to restore J&K’s statehood, pushing the region further into developmental stagnation. "Jammu & Kashmir is already lagging behind in terms of infrastructure, employment, and economic growth compared to other states, and the local BJP’s misleading approach has only worsened the situation," he remarked.

Rattan Lal Gupta emphasized that the people of J&K overwhelmingly demand early restoration of statehood, but the BJP is placing its vested political interests above the welfare of the masses. "The BJP leadership here is acting as a mere mouthpiece of the Centre, rather than standing up for the genuine concerns of the people. Instead of amplifying the voices of J&K citizens, they continue to peddle misleading narratives to the Union Government, which has delayed statehood," he added.

Slamming the BJP’s failed governance model, he said that in the past ten years, the miseries of the people have increased manifold due to rising unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and the denial of basic amenities. The essential services like electricity, water supply, and healthcare are in shambles, while inflation and joblessness are at an all-time high due to previous misgovernance," he asserted.

Gupta further pointed out that the dual governance system, with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration running affairs with an elected government, has only deepened the crisis. "This arrangement has alienated the people and led to policy paralysis. Restoration of statehood is the only solution to end this chaos and bring back accountable governance," he asserted. Urging the BJP to stop betraying the trust of the people, Rattan Lal Gupta demanded that the Centre immediately fulfill its promise of restoring full statehood as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the Home Minister Amit Shah have committed for the restoration of statehood to J&K.

"Only a democratically elected government can ensure justice, development, and prosperity for J&K, and the National Conference will continue its fight until the constitutional rights of the people are restored," he said. The Provincial President called upon the people to remain vigilant and united against  local BJP’s misleading politics and support people’s demand  for the restoration of J&K’s dignity and rights.