Former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kavinder Gupta on Thursday criticised the National Conference (NC) and Congress, accusing them of “attempting to mislead the public” after their decision to boycott the Union Territory Foundation Day.
The BJP leader argued that both parties, which jointly contested elections and formed a government in Jammu and Kashmir, “need to change their mentality.”
Commenting on the NC and Congress’s boycott, Kavinder Gupta told ANI, “The NC and Congress need to change their mentality. They contested elections in the UT, formed the government in the UT, took the oath as the Chief Minister in the UT, and now they refuse to celebrate its foundation day. This is merely a drama intended to mislead the public.”
Regarding the exchange of sweets between Indian and Chinese soldiers on Diwali, he said, “It’s a very positive step by the government. The dispute has been resolved, and there should be good relations with our neighbours.”
Earlier, J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina expressed hope that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would attend the Union Territory Foundation Day in the future, emphasising that holders of constitutional posts should transcend party politics.
On the NC and Congress boycott, Raina told ANI, “October 31 is celebrated every year as UT Foundation Day. It is the duty of individuals holding constitutional posts to participate in programmes mandated by the constitution. When one holds such a position, one should rise above party politics. I hope the J&K CM (Omar Abdullah) will attend these programmes in future.”
The J&K UT Foundation Day commemorates the creation of the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. This year, as in previous years, it was celebrated at the Convention Centre in Jammu. (ANI)
