JAMMU: Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today lashed out at the Congress for playing second fiddle politics in Jammu and Kashmir to remain glued to power, as a result the regional aspirations received a big jolt. “By aligning with the regional political players in turns to remain relevant in the J&K politics and to share the loaves of the power, the Congress kept looking to the other side for decades, even as the regions and sub-regions were discriminated against-be it development or share in the jobs”, Devender Rana said while addressing meetings in Panchayat Showa, Gharota Upper A, Gharota Upper B, Malpur and Gharota Lower in Amb-Gharota Mandal alongwith DDC Chairman, Bharat Bhushan, District President Jammu North Omi Khajuria and Former MLA Shiv Dev Singh. The Congress’s second fiddle politics in pursuit of power and personal agendas took precedence over the welfare of the people. This phenomenon, characterized by opportunistic alliances and compromises, led to a situation for decades where the interests of the people were often side-lined in favour of narrow political gains. The practice of this sort of politics undermined the principles of democracy and good governance, as it prioritized short-term political objectives, no matter how much leverage the senior alliance partners enjoyed, over the long-term development and well-being of society. By perpetuating, the institutions were weakened due to political manoeuvring that eroded public trust in the democratic process and diminished the accountability of elected representatives, he added. He said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed for decades how the decisions were made on political expediency rather than the merits of the issues, be it allocation of funds for development, share in jobs and availability of opportunities, which is why various regions and sub-regions nurtured the impression of being left out. This syndrome came to an end after the political developments of August 2019 with focus of governance remaining on Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, he maintained. Devender Rana said the course correction undertaken during the past over four and half years, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Yashaswi Narendra Modiji instilled a sense of belonging to the people living in both the regions and the sub-regions. For the first time a paradigm shift is being witnessed in the process of governance with thrust on holistic development, time bound delivery of essential services, infrastructure development and safeguarding the interests of all the segments of the society, he said. Rana said the BJP’s commitment to transparency, accountability and fair-play in the distribution of resources has made all the difference since 2019. The people of the Union Territory are now feeling a sense of confidence about safeguarding their interests with little role for the political exploiters, who kept flourishing by misleading the public opinion, indulging in corruption and nepotism and playing divisive politics for furthering their interests. He hailed the overwhelming support of the people in the efforts of building a more equitable, inclusive and prosperous society. The Senior BJP leader dwelt in detail achievements registered in different sectors of economy, development and above all in respect of the security situation that has created an enabling situation for people to excel in their respective avocations.
