 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 31: Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former minister Raman Bhalla on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing its elected representatives from Jammu of deliberately misleading the public by raising divisive and irrelevant issues instead of addressing the pressing problems faced by the people.
Addressing a public meeting at Bhour Kullian in Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Ward No. 73 of the Jammu South-RS Pura constituency as part of the ongoing MGNREGA Bachao Andolan, Bhalla cautioned people to remain vigilant against the BJP's "deceitful and diversionary tactics."
He alleged that the ruling BJP had failed on all major fronts of governance, including employment generation, infrastructure development, disaster management, and social welfare.
"It is a historical fact that BJP leaders have always resorted to emotive and polarising issues to divert attention from the burning issues confronting society," Bhalla said, adding that such tactics were now being used to conceal the government's inability to address unemployment, inflation, rising prices of essential commodities, and the shrinking scope of welfare schemes.
Highlighting what he termed as the BJP's anti-poor and anti-worker policies, the Congress leader said that while every section of society was suffering due to flawed governance, the poor, marginalised, and weaker sections were the worst affected.
He alleged that flagship employment schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provide crucial livelihood support to rural households, were being systematically weakened through delayed payments, reduced work days, and inadequate funding.
Bhalla said the MGNREGA Bachao Andolan was aimed at protecting the rights of labourers, daily wage earners and rural poor, who were being denied timely wages and guaranteed employment. "Instead of strengthening welfare schemes, the BJP government is dismantling them, pushing thousands of families into distress," he alleged.
Taking strong exception to the performance of the 29 BJP MLAs elected from the Jammu region, Bhalla said that despite enjoying a clear mandate, they had failed to raise people's issues either in the Assembly or at the grassroots level.
"Except for indulging in cheap publicity stunts, these representatives have done nothing to reduce the hardships of the common masses," he said.
He further stated that the suffering of the people had multiplied with each passing day, but their elected representatives remained indifferent. Referring to the devastating floods that struck several parts of Jammu province nearly six months ago, Bhalla expressed serious concern over the absence of effective relief, rehabilitation and compensation measures.
Bhalla also voiced concern over the slow pace of restoration works, stating that infrastructure damaged during the August 2025 floods-including roads, bridges, irrigation channels, drinking water schemes and public buildings-was yet to be repaired. He pointed out that with barely two months left for the completion of the current financial year, the delay raised serious questions about the government's planning and intent.
Calling the situation "alarming," the former minister warned that failure to utilise available funds within the stipulated time would further deprive the region of much-needed development and recovery. "This delay is not just administrative negligence, it is a betrayal of public trust," he remarked. |
