Tanvir Sadiq, Omar Abdullah hit back at BJP over J&K protest

National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq on Monday accused the BJP of 'drama and theatrics' during its protest in Jammu, demanding to know why statehood for Jammu and Kashmir had not been restored two years after delimitation and elections. 'Two years have passed, where is statehood?' Sadiq asked, also questioning the delay on reservation issues and alleged backdoor appointments. He said the BJP could order an investigation anytime but was deliberately misleading people.

BJP leaders, led by party president Sat Sharma, mounted a large protest against the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of failing on election promises on unemployment and development. Sharma said the NC was using the statehood issue to distract from its governance failures. MP Jugal Kishore Sharma demanded the government resign over lack of civic amenities.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the protest as a difference of opinion, but used the occasion to criticise central interference in state subjects. He said the Centre's habit of taking over state matters cost Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan his job over the NEET controversy. 'Let us do our work, let them do theirs,' Abdullah said.