Jammu, Jan 18: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday offered to extend its support to the National Conference (NC) government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in empowering the youth of the state through various schemes. However, the party also targeted the working of the Education Minister, saying she has failed to deliver in her role.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Jammu, BJP spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia said the party is ready to provide constructive suggestions to the government for the betterment of the state. “We want to help the government in empowering the youth of J&K, but the ministers, particularly the Education Minister Sakina Itoo, need to work towards this goal,” he said.
Jasrotia cited a report by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) that ranks India second in terms of future job skills, including artificial intelligence (AI) and green skills. He said this is an opportunity for J&K to prepare its youth for the changing job market. “The world is ready, India is ready, but is J&K ready?” he asked.
The BJP leader criticised Itoo, saying she has failed to handle the recent deaths in Rajouri and has also proven to be a failure as an Education Minister. “She should focus on adding AI as a subject in higher secondary schools and colleges, and dedicate AI labs to each Chief Education Officer,” Jasrotia suggested.
The spokesperson also offered assistance to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, saying that the BJP is available as an honest opposition. “We strongly believe in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, but for this, the government needs to have faith in itself first,” he said.
The BJP leader warned the Chief Minister that time is running out and that the party will have to say that the government has delayed taking action. “The time to act is now, Omar sahib. We don’t want to say that you have delayed taking action,” Jasrotia said.
