Srinagar, Nov 30: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia on Saturday slammed former bureaucrat-turned-politician Haseeb Drabu, accusing him of criticising the decentralisation process while benefiting from a privileged political ascent that ignored the grassroots.
“It’s ironic that Drabu, who ascended to political prominence not through local engagement but through bureaucratic privilege, now criticises the very system designed to empower the public,” Dr Jasrotia said in a statement issued here.
He said certain “snollygoster leaders” are struggling to relinquish their grip on power.
Drabu’s recent remarks lamenting the “dilution” of an MLA’s power due to the involvement of Panchs, Sarpanchs and District Development Councillors (DDCs) demonstrate an “entitlement” that contrasts sharply with the principles of democratic governance, the BJP leader said.
“Democracy is about empowerment, not hoarding power in plush Gupkar mansions,” he added, referring to Drabu’s previous political stronghold.
Dr Jasrotia said the emerging political environment allows grassroots leaders to wield influence comparable to established MLAs. “In this new era, power is earned, not gifted,” he asserted.
The decentralisation of power envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented opportunities for a “New Jammu and Kashmir”, he added
Dr Jasrotia termed Drabu’s recent praise for the National Conference (NC) as a reflection of “political opportunism” rather than genuine ideological commitment. “It is a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a rapidly changing political landscape,” he said, urging the former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader to return to his constituency in Rajpora to engage with constituents and better understand the new democratic principles in practice.
