Srinagar, Sept 1 (JKNS): BJP senior leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over statehood, employment and outsourcing, challenging him to seek a fresh mandate solely on the promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, Sharma said, “I challenge Mr Omar Abdullah. You have lied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood is the top priority. If you have any decency left, if you have any moral values and ethics, you should resign and fight the elections in the name of statehood.”
“Fight the elections only on the issue of statehood. The people of Jammu and Kashmir will tell you where you stand,” he said.
On the employment issue, Sharma alleged that the future of around 25,000 youth was being placed in the hands of contractors through outsourcing.
“Today contractors are hiring doctors, today contractors are hiring paramedical assistants. There is no merit seen there,” he alleged.
He questioned the absence of recruitment through established agencies, saying, “You cannot see PSC, you cannot see SSB. You can see the contractor of the National Conference.”
Reacting to the JKNC’s announcement of a protest outside BJP headquarters, Sharma alleged that the move was intended to dilute the BJP’s agitation.
“We held a protest yesterday for 25,000 young people. To dilute this protest, yesterday the National Conference held a protest for the BJP office. I consider this an unfortunate step,” he said.
Sharma said the BJP would continue raising the issue of youth employment and announced that the party would gherao the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.
“We are in opposition and we have raised the issue that is now putting 25,000 youths aside to get a job. You have given it to a contractor,” he said.
Maintaining that the agitation was not confined to the BJP, Sharma said, “This is not just a BJP protest. This is a protest for the youth.” (JKNS)
