Surinder Choudhary says bigger Council will strengthen governance and accountability; asks LoP Sunil Sharma why BJP is silent when J&K residents are beaten outside the UT
BuzzBytes
Srinagar, October 27: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday said the expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers would strengthen governance, improve accountability and ensure more effective delivery of services, while taking a swipe at the BJP over its criticism of the government.
Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan, Choudhary said the government had fulfilled its commitment to expand and reshuffle the Cabinet and that the focus should now shift to governance and public welfare.
“We had told people that we would carry out an expansion and reshuffle, and now it has happened. Now question the BJP leaders or the Leader of Opposition,” he said.
Referring to the induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Wani, he said the expansion was aimed at strengthening the government’s functioning. “Our only aim is that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should benefit from this government. That is why CM Omar has carried out this expansion. Now ask questions about the work being done and leave the issue of expansion,” he said.
Taking a dig at the BJP, he said: “For six months, they kept talking about expansion. Now it has happened, and one of their issues is over.” He accused the opposition party of misleading the public.
The Deputy Chief Minister raised concern over alleged attacks on Kashmiris and other residents of Jammu and Kashmir working in other parts of the country, and asked why Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders had failed to speak out. “Whether it is a driver, a shawl seller or a fruit seller, people from Jammu and Kashmir go outside to earn their livelihood. When they are beaten, it hurts because they are human beings,” he said.
Choudhary urged BJP leaders to stop maligning the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and explain what had been done to fulfil the promises made to the people.
