Shopian, May 04 (KNO): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir would not have lost its special constitutional status and statehood had Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir's Shopian district, Choudhary said the political decisions taken in the past had far-reaching consequences for Jammu and Kashmir. “If PDP had not aligned with the BJP, the situation would have been entirely different today. The people are aware of what led to the erosion of special status and downgrading of the state,” he said, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
During the tour, the Deputy CM inspected several key projects and directed officials to accelerate the execution of works that have been pending for years. He said delays in development not only hamper economic growth but also erode public trust in governance.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency, he accused the previous PDP-led administration of indulging in “fraudulent appointments” and administrative mismanagement. “There was a time when backdoor appointments were rampant. That phase is over now. Our government is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment system,” he said.
Choudhary reiterated that accountability would remain a cornerstone of the present administration’s functioning. He assured the people that strict action would be taken wherever irregularities are found and that governance would be driven by rules rather than political considerations.
On the development front, the Deputy CM said the government is focused on fast-tracking all pending projects across sectors, including roads, healthcare, and public utilities.
He assured residents of Shopian that efforts are underway to ensure the timely completion of works so that the benefits of development reach every household. “The aim is not just to announce projects, but to complete them efficiently and improve the quality of life for the people,” he added—(KNO)