BJP Has Lost Trust and Faith of People in J&K, Says Rattan Lal Gupta

Chatroo (Kishtwar), September 16, 2026: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the National Conference-led government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accelerated inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular focus on rural, remote and far-flung areas.

Addressing a public meeting at Chatroo in the Inderwal Assembly Constituency, chaired by National Conference District President Kishtwar Tanveer Ahmad Kichloo, Choudhary said development schemes and projects had gained momentum since the Omar Abdullah-led government assumed office.

He said people in rural and far-flung areas were increasingly receiving public facilities and development works closer to their doorsteps. The government, he added, was committed to taking development to every region and section of society.

Choudhary highlighted sectors including tourism, roads, Jal Shakti, health and education, saying the government was working to create better opportunities and a stronger future for the coming generations.

Earlier, Inderwal MLA Pyare Lal Sharma presented his two-year report card before the people of the constituency. He highlighted around two dozen development works related to roads, Jal Shakti, health and education, besides around a dozen projects in the pipeline and a major tunnel project.

Sharma said these projects were generating employment and livelihood opportunities for local youth. He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for giving impetus to development in the Inderwal area.

Appreciating the Omar Abdullah-led government, Sharma said the administration was pursuing inclusive development with particular attention to rural and far-flung areas. He maintained that development was being taken forward across different regions and sections of J&K without discrimination.

Speaking at the gathering, J&K National Conference Provincial President, Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta, alleged that the BJP had failed to retain the trust and confidence of people in Jammu and Kashmir, citing what he described as several unfulfilled commitments.

Gupta particularly referred to the issue of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said commitments regarding restoration of statehood had been made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and on other public platforms, and claimed that the continued delay had disappointed sections of the population.

Gupta also highlighted what he described as institutional challenges arising from the existing administrative arrangement involving the elected Council of Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor's administration. He said greater institutional coordination was necessary in the larger public interest.

He reiterated that the National Conference would continue to raise issues related to development, employment, infrastructure, public services, restoration of statehood and the socio-economic welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among those present at the public meeting were Vijay Lochan, Chairman SC Cell; Pooja Thakur, former DDC Chairperson Kishtwar; Rakesh Singh Raka, Vice President, Central Zone; and other National Conference functionaries from the Inderwal Assembly Constituency.