Special Correspondent
JAMMU: While the BJP is enjoying power in partnership with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, the MLAs of the saffron brigade are ‘upset’ with their own ministers for being neglected not only in their constituencies but also over their abject surrender before the PDP bosses.
The BJP MLAs want their own party ministers to raise the issues of concern particularly of the constituencies they are representing to restore the confidence among the people they are losing with time but they are ‘upset’ and not happy with their style of working.
“We were elected by the people to raise their issues and concerns before the government but instead of addressing their grievances despite having our people sitting into the government, the problems are further adding on,” a BJP MLA, pleading anonymity, told this reporter.
He rued over the cabinet ministers of his own party not listening to their grave issues, as they are answerable to the people who voted them in 2014 Assembly elections, adding, “it is surprising that our senior ministers are not in a position to take any of the decision on their own but consult the coalition ‘Mantris’ before coming to the conclusion.”
“Only after terms are being dictated by the PDP ministers, the BJP leadership sitting in the government, goes ahead with the decision, no matter what affect it will have,” he complained.
Meanwhile, the BJP sources said that the saffron party ministers have completely surrendered before the ruling PDP but those who are facing ‘Aam Admi’ on routine basis in their constituencies, face the public anger.
Either, it was domicile certificates to West Pakistani Refugees, compensation to the family of Hizb terrorist Burhan Wani, ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for families of stone-pelters, the decisions bother them because they are face of the coalition and the ministers are enjoying the ministerial berths, sources added.
“Next of the kin of stone pelters are being given compensation, educational facilities free of cost but people in the Jammu region are facing worst of the dispensation,” they said adding that there is no governance on ground.
Sources however, said that most of the BJP MLAs-dominated constituencies are awaiting development but at the same time the PDP ministers are openly expressing their concern for the people of Kashmir, which is surprising.
“What else could be the irony that a BJP MLC slammed the Health Minister on the floor of the House in the Legislative Council for poor health infrastructure in the Jammu district,” they said and added that it was only an example but most of the elected members are helpless and in distress due to the indifferent behaviour and dismal approach of the BJP ministers.
Another MLA, on the condition of anonymity, said that opposition members either from the National Conference or the Congress, are only criticising the BJP in the House but not the PDP.
The NC hit out at the PDP but only on Kashmir unrest following which the compensation was swiftly announced and the Congress, which was in coalition with them in 2002 will never blame PDP for any blunder, he said.
“But, how do we justify all this to our people, who have high hopes from us”, the MLA said and added, “people from our constituencies visit us for redressal of various grievances and we also putforth these before the ministers but they do not take it on priority and we have to face the embarrassing situation.”
Disturbed from own leadership, the MLAs said that the BJP ministers should learn a lesson from the Kashmiris, who are always concerned for their people.
“It sounds astonishing but the truth behind the curtain is that MoS status ministers are treated less than ‘clerks’ in the government,” they said adding that the portfolios with BJP in MoS status, are dependent upon PDP Cabinet Ministers and only after their ‘green signal’, the Ministers of State make up their mind of accomplishing the task.
The way BJP leadership has bent down their knees before the PDP, it is clear that in the next Assembly elections they have to face the wrath of common man in the shape of ‘votes’. So it is a high time to live for the people for bright future into the politics.
