Srinagar, Jul 30: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and Jammu & Kashmir in-charge Tarun Chugh, on Wednesday accused the National Conference (NC) of “broken promises” and “dangerous rhetoric”.
Speaking at a BJP workers’ meeting in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Chugh slammed the NC leadership, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, reminding them of the grand promises made before elections, which, he said, were conveniently forgotten.
“Where are the one lakh jobs they promised? What happened to filling all government vacancies within 180 days? Where are the six free LPG cylinders and the 200 units of free electricity? These weren’t just promises, they were a fraud on the youth and poor of J&K,” he said.
Calling the NC manifesto a “cruel joke”, the BJP leader said the party has failed to deliver even the basics, and is now trying to divert attention by crying “cultural invasion” over tourism. “Instead of answering for their failures, they’ve now found a new excuse—labelling Indian tourists as invaders. This is not just laughable, it is sinister,” he added.
Reacting strongly to NC MP Aga Rahullah’s remarks describing tourism as a “cultural invasion”, Chugh said such statements echo Pakistan-sponsored propaganda. “When NC leaders brand Indian tourists as cultural invaders, they insult the warmth, hospitality, and inclusive identity of Kashmiris,” he said.
The BJP leader said tourism brings livelihoods, hope, and connectivity to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, and only those clinging to outdated politics of hate would oppose it. “This regressive mindset shows NC’s desperation. They cannot digest the fact that Kashmir is healing and prospering under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Taking on NC’s historical baggage, Chugh pointed to the series of rigged elections in Jammu & Kashmir, which, he said, eroded public trust, deepened alienation, and laid the groundwork for decades of bloodshed. “The NC repeatedly manipulated democratic institutions and silenced real voices. Their politics directly enabled Pakistan and terror networks to exploit Kashmir’s wounds,” he alleged.
He also slammed the party for its deafening silence after the successful and peaceful conduct of the Holy Muharram procession in Srinagar after more than three decades. “This was a moment of deep cultural and religious pride for the people of the valley. But the NC, as usual, couldn’t stomach a positive change under the Modi government. Their silence is proof that political gains matter more to them than people’s faith and traditions,” he said.
Chugh didn’t spare NC leaders for refusing to acknowledge the historic voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections either. “The people of Kashmir rejected separatist threats and stood firm with democracy. NC has no moral right to sit in Parliament while disrespecting the very system that elected them,” he asserted.
Referring to the Pahalgam tragedy, the BJP leader said that at a time when unity and compassion are needed, the NC is playing a communal and divisive game. “They couldn’t even stand with the victims. Instead, they chose to amplify narratives that help Pakistan and radical elements. This is not opposition politics. This is betrayal,” he said.
Rejecting the term “cultural invasion” as vicious and baseless, Chugh said the people of Kashmir have moved on from the politics of fear and blackmail. “NC’s days of emotional blackmail and dynastic entitlement are over. Kashmiris want jobs, peace, and dignity—not slogans from 1975,” he said.
Praising the people of Jammu & Kashmir for their resilience, he concluded, “Their spontaneous response after the Pahalgam massacre, their defiance of separatist calls, and their love for the Constitution show one thing clearly—Kashmir has changed. And NC simply cannot handle it.”
