Srinagar, July 21: As the death toll from flash floods across Jammu and Kashmir mounted to nearly 30, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Tuesday accused the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government of being “helpless” and conspicuously absent from the ground, even as he offered conditional support to the administration if it rose to the occasion.
“The government is not in the midst of the people. It is very unfortunate,” Sunil Sharma told reporters here, launching a sharp attack on the NC dispensation’s handling of the natural calamity that has devastated large swathes of the valley, particularly in the south.
At least 27-28 people have lost their lives in the floods so far, Sharma said, adding that three deaths were reported in Dhoda on Monday alone. Flash floods have wreaked havoc in Balesa and Madhavabad areas, while Rajouri and Poonch districts remain among the worst-hit, with multi-agency rescue operations still underway.
The BJP leader said the opposition was willing to put politics aside and back the government’s relief efforts—but only if it was visibly present on the ground. “Going beyond politics, we are ready to support them. But they should be visible on the ground,” he asserted, making it clear that his party’s support came with conditions.
Sunil Sharma, however, made it clear that the opposition would not remain a mute spectator. “We cannot remain silent, because to fulfil the role of the opposition, people’s hopes and expectations are with us,” he said, appealing to the government to halt all political activities and focus entirely on providing financial aid and essential supplies to affected families.
The LoP claimed his party had made efforts to reach every victim across the region, even as he questioned the administration’s response mechanism. “This is not the time for politics. Going beyond politics, it is time to encourage the people of these affected areas and restore their lives,” he said.
Notably, Widespread devastation has been reported from multiple districts following heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and landslides across the Union Territory. Official sources said at least 26 people have lost their lives so far, with rescue operations continuing in the worst-affected areas.
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