Srinagar, J & K : National Conference (NC) spokesperson Ifra Jan on Friday criticised the BJP’s proposed ‘Secretariat Gherao’, questioning the party’s decision to target the elected government instead of pressing its concerns before its central leadership.

Reacting to the BJP’s proposed protest, Jan said it was “ironic” that the Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit was planning to gherao the Secretariat, while people had expected the party to raise the issue directly with its national leadership.

She said the restoration of statehood remains one of the major demands shared across communities in Jammu and Kashmir, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Kashmiris and the Dogra community.

“Across Jammu and Kashmir, the single biggest consensus demand is the restoration of statehood,” Jan said, adding that the issue also concerns constitutional rights, land and employment opportunities.

The NC spokesperson questioned the BJP’s continued position that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time”.

“Six years have passed now. Will the BJP state unit finally ask its central leadership when that ‘appropriate time’ will arrive?” she asked, seeking clarity on the conditions and criteria that would determine the timing of restoration of statehood.

Jan further alleged that instead of focusing on these issues, the BJP was raising other matters while making “aggressive and relentless efforts” to undermine the democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

She maintained that the concerns of the people regarding statehood, constitutional rights, land and jobs should be addressed rather than being sidelined by political confrontation.

Report By – Mudasir Maqbool