Srinagar, Sep 21: Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma on Monday accused the National Conference (NC)-led government of seeking to dodge questions on livelihood and service matters affecting large sections of workers and youth in Jammu and Kashmir, as BJP legislators disrupted the opening day of the autumn session of the Assembly.
Speaking to reporters after the House was adjourned, Sharma said the BJP had raised the concerns of NHM employees, ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, CAMPA workers, Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRS) and technical assistants.
“People are depressed due to outsourcing, and they demand answers. The Bharatiya Janata Party, acting as the voice for these victimised sections, demanded answers from the government today. Omar Abdullah wants to run away; the government wants to run away from people’s issues,” he said.
BJP MLAs interrupted proceedings soon after obituary references concluded.
They first protested from their seats with posters and later entered the well of the House, shouting slogans through Question Hour, which the Speaker conducted amid the din.
Sharma said it was the opposition’s duty to hold the government accountable when it failed to address public concerns. “When the government fails, it becomes the duty of the opposition to hold the government accountable before the people in the assembly. The BJP wants to fulfil its responsibility with integrity. That is why today we tried to demand answers from the government,” he said.
Sharma also flagged rising power tariffs, saying higher electricity costs were straining household budgets across J&K. He referred to pending grievances of cooperative bank victims and said employees and workers from several sectors had repeatedly raised questions about service conditions and job security.
“When genuine public concerns are raised in the Assembly, it is the responsibility of the government to provide clear answers. The Opposition will continue to raise the voice of the people and seek accountability from the government,” Sharma said.
He called for a clear roadmap rather than evasion.
Reiterating the BJP’s stance, he said the party would keep raising issues of employment, livelihoods, rising costs, basic public services and opportunities for the youth.
“The BJP will not remain silent on issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. As a responsible Opposition, we will continue to question the government, demand answers and ensure that the concerns of the people reach the floor of the House. Our commitment is to the people and their legitimate concerns,” the LOP said.
He said the opposition would continue to discharge its constitutional and democratic responsibility “with integrity, commitment and courage.”
