'I am also a Hindu': J&K Dy CM hits back at BJP amid Cabinet expansion row

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday slammed the BJP over its criticism of the National Conference government for "failing" to ensure representation to various regions in the expanded Cabinet, questioning the criteria used by some people to define the Hindu identity in Jammu.

Reacting to the BJP's remarks following the induction of four ministers into the Cabinet on Tuesday, Choudhary said some people in Jammu did not even consider him a Hindu.

"People in Jammu say that 'we have not received our fair share'. But when it comes to voting, the Chenab Valley has at least given two seats, whereas the people of Jammu have not given even one. Yet, they expect an equal share.


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"Surinder Choudhary has been appointed from Jammu, but they do not even consider me a Hindu. I do not know whom they consider a Hindu. It seems that I am not a Hindu at all in the eyes of some people in Jammu. I do not know who qualifies as a Hindu according to their standards," the deputy chief minister told reporters in Ramban district.

Choudhary, however, assured the people of Chenab Valley that the government will not neglect any region despite the absence of ministerial representation for some areas.

"Even if the Chenab Valley has not received a ministerial position, that does not mean we will abandon its people. The Omar Abdullah government will ensure that the region receives its fair and equal share," he said.

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The deputy chief minister said National Conference legislators Sajjad Shaheen and Arjun Raju had direct access to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and asserted that the government would extend all possible assistance to Ramban and the wider Chenab Valley.

Choudhary also accused the BJP leaders of making political statements on development while failing to intervene in cases where projects were held up due to pending no-objection certificates (NOCs) and forest clearances.

"When the work is completed, and the NOC is granted, everyone claims credit. But when the NOC is stuck, they (the BJP) should go to Delhi and get the clearance issued," he said.

Choudhary also challenged BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Sunil Sharma to help get the pending files cleared, alleging that political statements alone would not resolve issues affecting development projects.

"Instead, he comes here and tells you every day that this government will collapse and so on...Two years have passed amid all this talk and speculation about the government falling. By your prayers and with the blessings of my mother, Vaishno Devi, we have completed two years and will complete the next three as well," he said.

After that, he claimed, the support for the National Conference will grow further, while the BJP will fall from 28 seats back to just eight.

During his visit, Choudhary inspected several infrastructure projects, including the Maitra Bridge in Ramban, a bridge reconstruction project at Latori, the road leading to the Sharda Mata temple and the government school near the shrine in Udhampur district.

He said the contractor had assured him that the Maitra Bridge would be completed by next July.

"I have spoken to the engineers and the contractors. Neither the negligence of contractors nor that of the concerned officials and engineers will be tolerated," he said.

Choudhary, who also paid obeisance at the Sharda temple, reiterated that the government would continue to pursue pending works and initiate new projects despite the financial constraints faced by J&K as a Union territory.

"I want to assure you that although we face many difficulties and, as a Union Territory, our funding is very limited, we will not shy away from our responsibilities. Whatever resources are available to us, we will do our best to make the most of them," Choudhary said.