Srinagar, Mar 12: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia on Wednesday reiterated the party’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for daily wagers, saying they have been facing decades of betrayal at the hands of successive governments.
Addressing the media persons, Dr Jasrotia said, “Daily wagers have been struggling since 1996-97, initially appointed on false promises made by the National Conference (NC), followed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress — all of whom played the same role of misleading and exploiting them. For over two decades, these workers have toiled under harsh conditions, surviving on meagre wages of Rs 500-700 per month, while their hopes for regularization were repeatedly crushed.”
Dr Jasrotia asserted that it was the BJP that first took a proactive stand, ensuring a significant increase in their salaries, raising it to Rs 9,000 per month. He said that during the previous elections, the BJP had made a clear promise to the daily wagers — that the first decision of the assembly would be their regularisation. However, despite securing 1.5 lakh votes more than the NC, the BJP unfortunately found itself in the opposition, he said.
The BJP leader accused the Omar-led NC government of deceiving daily wagers. “When BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma raised the issue, Omar Abdullah tried to deflect the matter. The CM’s statement suggested a six-month timeline for forming a committee to review the issue, followed by potential consideration in the next year’s budget — a move BJP condemns as an eyewash designed to delay and mislead,” he said.
Backing Sunil Sharma’s strong intervention in the assembly, Dr Jasrotia said the BJP continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the daily wagers in their fight for regularisation. “The BJP remains dedicated to ensuring these workers receive the justice they deserve. In every protest and agitation led by the daily wagers, BJP leaders have stood with them, offering unwavering support,” he said.
Dr Jasrotia said the BJP will continue to fight for the immediate regularisation of daily wagers and will hold the current government accountable for their promises.
