JAMMU: Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, led by Jammu and Kashmir unit president Sat Sharma, took to the streets in Jammu on Monday to protest against the National Conference-led government, accusing it of failing to fulfil election promises and address unemployment, development and civic issues.
Carrying party flags and placards, BJP workers assembled at Dogra Chowk, Maheshpura and Panjtirthi before marching separately towards the Civil Secretariat through Shalimar Road.
The demonstrations were led by Sat Sharma, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma, while several senior party leaders, legislators and Mahila Morcha workers also participated.
Protesters raised slogans against the NC-Congress alliance and burnt effigies of the government. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in strength along the march routes and around the Civil Secretariat.
Addressing the protesters, Sat Sharma alleged that the NC-led government had failed to meet public expectations after coming to power on the basis of several election promises.
“Thousands of BJP workers, MPs, legislators and common people are on the roads to express their anger against the NC-led government,” he said.
Sharma accused the government of repeatedly raising the issue of restoration of statehood to divert attention from what he termed its failures on governance, unemployment and development.
He claimed that recent electoral outcomes in Nagrota and Budgam reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
The BJP president said his party wanted the government to function effectively and would continue to play the role of a constructive opposition, but warned that the agitation would be intensified if public concerns remained unaddressed.
He said future protests could be organised at district, town and local levels across Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma accused the government of failing to provide basic civic amenities, including proper roads, reliable electricity and drinking water, despite repeated assurances.
He claimed the government had lost public confidence and demanded that it take responsibility for what he described as its failures.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma also targeted the NC-led government, alleging corruption, administrative failure and poor governance.
He said the BJP had initially tried to function as a constructive opposition but was now compelled to take its campaign to the streets because of the government’s alleged failure to address public issues.
MLA Sham Lal Sharma alleged discrimination against the Jammu region and said the government would be held accountable “from the floor of the Assembly to the streets”.
MLA Vikram Randhawa accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of focusing more on protocol and political positioning than on issues affecting ordinary people.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Neha Mahajan raised concerns over employment opportunities for youth, rising unemployment and promises made to women.
The BJP leaders also maintained that the Centre had already stated that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time and questioned the NC-led government over what they described as its failure to deliver on its electoral commitments.
