BJP MLA R.S. Pathania on Friday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference-led government, demanding that Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary either resign or be sacked by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah following serious allegations levelled against him by ruling alliance MLAs themselves.
Speaking to news agency KNO, Pathania, who represents the Udhampur East segment, said: "If he lacks the moral conscience to resign, the government and the Chief Minister should shunt him out of the Cabinet."
The BJP legislator alleged "serious irregularities and malpractices" in the Roads & Buildings Department and claimed the Mining Department had "become a den of corruption" with illegal mining having been institutionalised. He warned that depleted riverbeds were worsening flood risks, saying "when flood water comes, it enters our homes like it falls on a steel plate."
Dismissing the NC government's recent Dachigam offsite meeting as "just a picnic hobnob" aimed at diverting public and media attention, Pathania accused the government of "fraud, lies and deception" on poll promises, saying the people of J&K had given NC a strong mandate but the party had failed to fulfill a single promise in 19 months.
On the issue of daily-wagers, Pathania mocked the government's repeated assurances, recalling a similar cabinet sub-committee from 2008–2014 whose report "never saw the light of day," and predicted the current government would follow the same pattern.
"This government is confusion itself. It is a controversy itself. It is a new drama, a new enigma every day," he said, adding that daily governance was suffering and the very existence of the government was not visible despite historic central support.
The BJP MLA also extended his party's support to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in J&K, saying the region needs "comprehensive, foolproof and theft-proof electoral rolls."
