Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 02
Opposition leader Sunil Sharma said on Wednesday that the turnout at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protest in Srinagar reflected public dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government.
“Thousands of people took to the streets against CM Abdullah-led government,” Sharma said, attributing the participation to unresolved public grievances.
The BJP protest began at Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk and was led by Sharma and J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma.
Party workers marched towards the civil secretariat, raising concerns over unemployment, electricity tariffs, alleged corruption and recruitment.
Police and paramilitary personnel stopped the march near Hari Singh High Street, short of the secretariat, while roads around Lal Chowk were closed to traffic.
Sharma said the BJP demonstration focused on four issues: alleged irregularities in government recruitment, delays in local body and panchayat elections, corruption and increased electricity tariffs.
The BJP highlighted a 6.83 percent electricity tariff increase and alleged backdoor appointments and outsourcing of government jobs.
It also criticised the government’s reported failure to implement its promise of providing 200 units of free electricity.
Sharma accused the government of failing to address issues involving electricity, water, roads and unemployment while focusing its political campaign on the restoration of statehood.
He challenged Abdullah to resign from his Ganderbal assembly seat and seek a fresh mandate specifically on the statehood issue.
“If you have any self-respect left, fight an election on it. Only then will we acknowledge it as your issue,” Sharma said.
