Flood devastation ‘unfortunate’, should rise above politics: LoP
Srinagar, Jul 21 : Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Tuesday termed the loss of lives and property in the recent flash floods across Jammu and Kashmir as “highly unfortunate” and urged the administration to rise above politics and provide immediate relief to the affected families.
Addressing the media, the senior BJP leader as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) expressed anguish over the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government’s response to the natural calamity, asserting that the administration appears “helpless” and absent from the ground at a time when people are losing their loved ones and homes.
“It is very unfortunate and saddening that when people are suffering from natural disasters, when people’s homes are being destroyed, when people are losing their loved ones, then the CM Omar Abdullah-led NC government being helpless, the government not being in the midst of the people, it is very unfortunate,” Sharma said as per KNS.
The LoP stated that his party has made efforts to reach every affected person across the region. He appealed to the government to halt all political activities and stand with the people, providing financial aid and necessary supplies to the victims.
“This is not the time for politics. Going beyond politics, it is time to encourage the people of these affected areas and restore their lives,” he said.
Sunil Sharma offered conditional support to the administration, stating that the opposition is ready to back the government’s efforts provided it is visible on the ground. “As a responsible party, we give confidence to the government and administration. Going beyond politics, we are ready to support them. But they should be visible on the ground,” he said.
BJP leader stressed that fulfilling the role of opposition and people’s expectations requires speaking up. “We cannot remain silent, because to fulfil the role of the opposition, people’s hopes and expectations are with us,” he said.
Providing an overview of the devastation, BJP senior leader stated that approximately 27-28 people have died in the affected areas.
He said the region has witnessed widespread devastation following heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods and landslides in multiple districts of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)
