Avinash Azad
Amid speculation over a possible split in the ruling National Conference (NC), Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on dismissed questions about the BJP’s response to any potential defections from the party, saying he could not “name a child who is yet to be born.”
He made the remark while responding to queries on whether the BJP would welcome NC legislators if the ruling party were to face a split similar to those witnessed by several regional parties across the country.
In an interview with journalist Asif Iqbal Naik, Sharma claimed that the internal conflicts from a recent NC legislators’ meeting at Dachigam are now public knowledge. “Every word and action from that meeting is out in the open. It has been learnt that a scuffle also broke out during the meet,” Sharma claimed. “The Chief Minister’s last-minute decision to change the venue clearly shows that all is not well within the party.”
Predicting the government’s downfall, he asserted, “It is crystal clear that the Omar Abdullah-led NC government will collapse soon and will not complete its term.”
Sharma alleged widespread frustration among ruling party MLAs. “There is dissatisfaction among the NC legislators who want to work in the public interest, but the Shahzada—a reference to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah—is not allowing them. I have no intention of destabilizing this government. If it falls, it will be due to its own policies,” he said.
The BJP leader also took aim at Kashmir’s traditional political families. “It is the tradition of the Abdullahs and Muftis to keep New Delhi in their good books. They regularly visit Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and Home Minister for their vested interests. But when they return to Kashmir, they mislead the common people,” he alleged.
He further questioned the region’s dynastic politics: “Why only the Abdullahs and Muftis? Why can’t the children of laborers, small businessmen, clerks, or common citizens become Chief Ministers and ministers?”
Accusing the current administration of poor governance and corruption, Sharma stated that the government is failing its mandate. “A popular government works in the public interest and fulfills its promises. Unfortunately, this government creates hurdles when its own MLAs want to work. Governance is missing on the ground,” he alleged.
“The only thing happening these days is unabated corruption. Every department has become an industry for minting money through transfers and postings. This government is only here to make money.” Addressing the recent splits in parties like the Shiv Sena, AAP, and TMC, Sharma stated that the era of dynastic politics is ending. “The culture of family rule (Parivarvaad) is over now. The youth want results. Leaders are switching to other parties because they want to fulfill the promises they made to the public,” he concluded.
