Srinagar, Aug 15: Rajya Sabha MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan on Saturday backed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Independence Day address, saying the elected government had been given a mandate by the people of Jammu and Kashmir to serve them.
Reacting to Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s criticism of Abdullah for allegedly using the Independence Day platform for political purposes, Ramzan said there was no reason to object to the Chief Minister speaking about the people’s aspirations and concerns.
“This is the wish of the people of the state. People have voted for a government headed by the National Conference so that it can serve them,” Ramzan said while speaking to reporters.
He criticised the BJP-led administration in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the opposition had a responsibility to highlight issues concerning the people.
“As an opposition leader, I have to say this. My proxy BJP is ruling over the state of J&K, and what have they done? They have destroyed the entire system here,” he said.
Ramzan also described Independence Day as a significant occasion for Jammu and Kashmir and the country, saying political parties should focus on serving the people rather than engaging in political disputes.
“Today is the 80th anniversary of Independence. This is a blessed day for the people of J&K and for the rest of the country,” he said.
He said the Chief Minister’s address had laid out a broad outline of the issues facing the people and the government’s responsibilities.
“We have to understand that all political parties have to serve the people. We have to see their problems and get them out of trouble. The Chief Minister has given a broad outline in his speech,” Ramzan said.
Earlier, Omar Abdullah, in his Independence Day address, said that had the changes made to Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 not taken place, people living across the Line of Control would have been seeking to reunite with this side.
The Chief Minister also asserted that those living across the LoC continue to be regarded as part of Jammu and Kashmir.
