Srinagar | September 23 — Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday took a veiled swipe at the Central Government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, stating that two parallel governments are currently operating in the Union Territory — one elected by the people and the other imposed upon them.
“Our hands are tied. Give us freedom, and then watch how far we can take Jammu & Kashmir,” Choudhary said, calling for the restoration of full statehood to J&K. He emphasized that the region deserves the autonomy to govern itself without external interference.
Speaking to the media after reviewing progress on the Boulevard Road widening project near Dal Lake, Choudhary alleged that the dual administrative structure was deliberately maintained to prevent the National Conference (NC) from fulfilling its electoral promises to the people. “We want the freedom to fulfill our promises and run this government. We are committed to every point in our manifesto and will deliver on all of them,” he stated.
Choudhary also accused the PDP-BJP alliance of shifting blame for their governance failures onto the National Conference. He reiterated that without full statehood, an elected government cannot function effectively or make people-centric decisions.
“Restoring statehood will empower the elected government and ensure that no decisions affecting the people of Jammu & Kashmir are imposed from outside. The local government should have the authority to act in the best interests of its people,” he said.
Calls for Central Relief Package
Highlighting recent natural disasters, Choudhary also urged the Centre to announce a comprehensive financial relief package to compensate for losses due to floods and the recurring closures of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. “The damage caused by floods and frequent highway blockades has severely impacted life and economy in the region. The Central Government must respond with an effective relief package at the earliest,” he demanded.
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would fulfill his commitment to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, including the long-promised restoration of full statehood.
