Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 06:
Senior Congress leader and former Minister, Raman Bhalla on Saturday claimed that Priority of PDP-BJP regime was never to empower people by strengthening democratic institutions but those at the helm of the affairs wanted to accomplish their nefarious designs by controlling such institutions through undemocratic means”, he observed that such attitude of the ruling party has been proved disastrous for the State. Terming the promises made by PDP-BJP government as “mere bluffs”, Bhalla said that voters are fed up with the “sheer opportunism” of these two parties. Both the parties took the extreme positions on most of the emotional issues and exploited their respective constituencies. This was stated by former Minister while addressing public gathering in Gandhi Nagar constituency including Model town, Digiana, Bahu Fort, Kacha Talla, Nanak Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Bhour Pind, Delli.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that with most hostile and spasmodic dozes of discrimination administered to Jammu youth in selections one after the other in the BJP had given Jammuites the shocker of their life time. Bhalla strongly accused the Bhartiya Janta Party over its discriminatory attitude towards Jammu after its failure in all fronts including much talked the anti Militancy drive , allocation of funds and their promise of employment in equal share at par to Kashmir. He said Bhartiya Janta Party at center and PDP- BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir failed in doing justice particularly with the people of Jammu region in all spheres including governance and deliverance whether it may be the case of equal share in employment through Public Service commission, SSRB and other recruitment state agencies there is a complete discrimination with Jammu people during past three years which can be depicted in the selection lists issued by the different agencies including PSC and SSRB.
Bhalla also pointed out the less allocation of funds in the Jammu region as compare to Kashmir in all sectors including PWD , PHE, irrigation and flood control, PDD, Health and Medical education deptt, housing and urban development, Rural Development deptt and education as well the diversion of allocated funds from Jammu region to Kashmir region without any justified reason by virtue of which a huge liability had been created and the people are suffering badly due to non availability of required funds.
Appealing people from different walks of life particularly youth to become part of the party, Bhalla said Congress offers a platform for all well meaning peoples to encourage them and play their role in party’s vision of political resolution and good governance. He said Congress by way of its pro-people policies is the only viable regional alternative for the people of the state. He said the ruling government has failed to do anything good for the people of state except strengthening the instrument of oppression to unleash terror on them.Bhalla also condemned the laid-back and non-serious approach of the state government in getting the road infrastructure of the state back on track. He regretted that the delivery on the promises had been in opposite proportion to the expression of such high pitched slogans with not a single promise having been cashed in. “Hunger for power has taken toll of the opportunistic alliance, which is overtly and covertly working towards weakening the very idea of Jammu and Kashmir”, said Bhalla .
While referring to the controversies being raked up PDP and BJP , Bhalla said , ” Inhuman atmosphere is being generated and mistrust created by bringing the people and the regions eyeball to eyeball situation over various sensitive issues”.
“We decry the politics of hate and divide”, he said while cautioning the people against divisive politics being played by the coalition partners which has already alienated Kashmir from the mainstream. Bhalla claimed that BJP-PDP coalition during their tenure only added to the woes of common man, BJP in particular in Jammu region as it is involved in every anti-Jammu decisions by Govt. ” BJP acted as dummy coalition partner in the Government as discrimination with Jammu province was being done at all ground either in recruitment, allotment of funds, development in tourist sector or overall development process,” he said and added that Congress is real representative of Jammu province that people have realized now.
