Jammu, November 10 (Scoop News) – On the penultimate day of the “Jan Jargan Yatras”, one led by BJP State president Shamsher Singh Manhas and the other led by National Executive Member Dr. Nirmal Singh intersected at Udhampur after covering different parts of the state and the yatra is going to culmiate on November 11 at Reasi. The yatra led by Shamsher Singh Manhas addressed public meetings at Chenani, Tikri, Garhi, Garnai, Maand, Udhampur and the one led by Dr. Nirmal Singh addressed public rallies at different location of Ramban and Doda districts before meeting the other one at Udhampur and now the joint yatra has entered Painthal and holy town of Katra, which will halt there for night and proceed towards Reasi tomarrow. Member of Parliament & BJP Mahila Morcha National President Smriti Irani will address the yatra at Reasi.
Large number of Muslims who joined BJP at public rally held at Chenani, were welcomed into the party fold by Shamsher Singh Manhas and other leaders accompanying him.
While welcoming the new entrants into the party, Manhas said that there has been a wave of change in the minds of people across the state as they are feeling betrayed by the Congress and National Conference. He said that the People of Jammu are the worst affected by the anti-Jammu attitude of the coalition government. The extent of discriminatory approach towards Jammu by the successive governments in the state can be well guessed from the fact that despite more population, more voter strength, more area and difficult terrain, the Jammu has just 37 assembly seats, while Kashmnir has 46 number. He said that the BJP will continue to agitate for ending discrimination with Jammu by seeking abrogation of Article-370 and conducting fair delimitation of assembly constituencies so that Jammu gets due share in the power structure of the state and thus is politically empowered.
Manhas also expressed concern over the plight of women in the state and said that the political empowerment of women by grant of reservation in decision making bodies can improve their lot and BJP is committed for the same. We have already given reservation to women in our organizational setup and assured party’s full support to any bill aimed at giving them reservation in parliament and assemblies.
Dr. Nirmal Singh has criticized the present government for its wrong policies including the present employment policy, as it amounts exploitation of helplessness of the unemployed youth. Government has failed to create avenues for effective employment of educated and uneducated youth in the state. The ruling NC-Congress coalition have belied their promises made in their election manifestos. He also criticized the state government for not taking initiative in development activities in Jammu region. There is lot of scope for tourism but the government keeping eyes closed, because of its bias against Jammu and Jammuites. He also condemned the chief minister for misguiding public over Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).
Dr. Nirmal Singh further said that confusion in the administration will complicate situation prevailing in this state and Omar Abdullah being incharge of Unified Command should not comment and give publically opinion about withdrawl of AFSPA, in a off-hand manner because CM cannot go by his personal opinion and being representative of the state has to take all stake holders in confidence. He should not raise avoidable controversies and before taking any decision all sections of the society including political parties be taken into confidence and due weightage given to their point of view. BJP will not allow him to take unwise and irresponsible decisions at the cost of general public and appealed the people to read and understand the AFSPA and its effectiveness. If it is withdrawn from some area it will have serious reprecation as it does not only include army but also gives legal protection to para-military forces, also. Hence, government should not take any decision in hurry which can only worsen the situation.
State Vice-President Pawan Gupta in his address said that the hilly areas of Chenani, Udhampur and Katra are still behind in developmental works and facilities like drinking water, electricity, health care and educational institutions, which reveal the discriminatory attitude of the government towards Jammu in its entirety.
Sunil Sharma, Mamta Singh, Pawan Khajuria, Dina Nath Bhagat, Munish Sharma and Vijay Choudhary also addressed these meetings.