JAMMU: BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the demand for restoration of statehood, alleging that the issue was being used to regain control over the police force and accusing the ruling dispensation of facing internal turmoil.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma claimed that statehood had become an issue because of a desire to regain authority over the police. Referring to the Abdullah family, he alleged that the Chief Minister wanted greater control over the force and said that people were living peacefully under the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sharma further claimed that the Omar Abdullah-led government would not complete its full term and alleged that differences had already begun emerging within the ruling party. He predicted that the political situation would eventually lead to a split in the party and the collapse of the government.
His remarks came days after Omar Abdullah said that he was in continuous communication with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on several issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre, including restoration of statehood and business rules.
The Chief Minister had also pointed to other pending matters, including the appointment of an Advocate General, which he said had remained unresolved for nearly two years, and the reservation issue on which the J&K Cabinet had prepared a response that was yet to be forwarded to the Government of India.
The exchange has once again brought the contentious issue of statehood to the centre of political debate in Jammu and Kashmir, with the ruling National Conference pressing its demand and the BJP questioning the priorities and political intent behind it.
