In a strong rebuttal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks on the concept of a shadow government, senior BJP leader Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia has firmly defended the necessity of a robust opposition in a democracy. Dr. Jasrotia underscored the crucial role of the opposition in ensuring accountability and transparency, often proving to be more effective than the ruling party itself.
Dr. Jasrotia highlighted the unique political reality of Jammu and Kashmir post the 2024 Assembly elections. He pointed out that despite the BJP emerging as the top choice among voters, securing nearly 1.5 lakh votes and surpassing the National Conference (NC), the party opted to sit in the opposition—an unequivocal demonstration of its commitment to democratic principles.
Referring to historic injustices, Dr. Jasrotia noted the systematic apathy towards Jammu since 1951-52 and the alleged Gerrymandering of constituencies, which has often resulted in distorted electoral outcomes. He asserted that these structural flaws have unfairly shaped winners and losers, reinforcing the need for a vigilant opposition.
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he remarked: “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Drawing parallels with the recent Delhi elections, he noted how even minority communities overwhelmingly supported the BJP, a trend he believes will soon be reflected in J&K.
Dr. Jasrotia strongly endorsed the proposal of a shadow government, as put forward by Leader of the Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma, to ensure that the voice of the people is not ignored. He stressed that the BJP will remain proactive in holding the NC-led government accountable.
Dr. Jasrotia launched a scathing attack on the NC-led administration, exposing its failure to fulfill the lofty promises made before the elections. He pointed out that the 1 lakh government jobs promised remain a distant dream, the pledge of 200 units of free electricity has not been implemented, and the assurance of 12 free LPG cylinders turned out to be a deceptive gimmick, benefiting only a fraction of the population. He criticized Omar Abdullah’s government for misleading the people without clearly defining these benefits as exclusive to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Dr. Jasrotia pointed out that J&K,in last 5 years , had seen unprecedented progress. He emphasized that GDP has doubled in comparison to Omar Abdullah’s previous tenure, J&K Bank has returned to profitability, and a record voter turnout in the 2024 elections signals a new era of democratic participation. He slammed the NC government for focusing on harassment of bureaucrats rather than governance. He warned that escapism is no longer an option, urging the government to deliver results instead of engaging in blame games.
Using the proverb “A bad workman quarrels with his tools,” Dr. Jasrotia urged the Omar Abdullah cabinet to see the BJP’s vigilant opposition as a blessing rather than a hindrance. He reiterated that BJP’s scrutiny would keep the ruling government on its toes, ensuring better governance and accountability.
Dr. Jasrotia reaffirmed BJP’s unwavering dedication to the people of J&K. He made it clear that while the BJP sits in opposition, it will not sit idle. The party will act as the people’s watchdog, ensuring that NC delivers on its promises.
In a final message to the NC-led government, he declared: “The people of J&K have suffered for too long. It’s time for real governance, not empty slogans.”
BJP stands firm in its resolve to fight for the rights, aspirations, and development of Jammu and Kashmir.
