Convener News Desk
Bandipora, Jan 29: Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Ashok Koul on Thursday criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing the NC-led government of failing to reach people in the aftermath of heavy snowfall and alleging that the CM was busy skiing in Gulmarg instead of supervising relief operations.
Koul said that large parts of Kashmir remained affected by blocked roads, power outages, and disrupted essential services, leaving residents struggling in harsh winter conditions.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party workers’ convention in Bandipora, he blamed political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for decades of violence that left thousands dead and many women widowed across the Valley, while ordinary families bore the brunt and politicians kept their households and children safe abroad.
Addressing party workers, Koul said the situation in J&K has changed in recent years. “Today there is peace. Now mothers do not fear that their sons will be killed if they step outside. This has happened because of firm action against those working against the country,” he said.
He alleged that earlier regimes pushed poor youth into conflict for political gain, noting that “no family member of big politicians was killed; only the poor suffered because they were instigated.”
Referring to the killing of BJP leader Waseem Bari, along with his father and brother in Bandipora in 2020, Koul described them as victims of a failed system. “What was the mistake of Waseem Bari’s father and son? They were innocent people who paid the price of serving people,” he said. He added that the BJP has tightened oversight on political parties, government employees, and organisations acting against national interest.
Targeting MLAs from Bandipora, Sonawari, and Gurez, Koul accused them of failing to visit people during harsh winter conditions. “When snowfall cuts off villages, representatives should be on the ground with the public,” he said, also expressing disappointment over the state budget and stating that no relief would be provided to common citizens as usual.
He further criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that he was enjoying skiing in Gulmarg while citizens faced power cuts, blocked roads, and shortages following the snowfall. “Leadership means solving public problems, not enjoying leisure when citizens are suffering,” Koul said.
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