Jammu | November 06: BJP Jammu and Kashmir president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma on Friday described the National Conference (NC) as a “sinking ship,” pointing to its recent electoral setbacks and reports of growing internal discontent within the ruling party. Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma asserted that the NC’s performance over the past two years reflected widespread public dissatisfaction, sources said.
“The fact that the National Conference has failed to deliver over the past two years is, in itself, an indication that it is a sinking ship. The party has lost two by-elections. In Budgam, the Chief Minister vacated his seat, but another political party won the election. In Nagrota, the National Conference forfeited its deposit. This itself indicates that the party is a sinking ship and nobody would want to board a sinking ship,” he said.
Addressing the reported internal differences within the NC, Sharma noted that the resentment among legislators was understandable due to the government’s failure to address public grievances. “Even the MLAs feel that by remaining part of a political party that has failed to live up to people’s expectations and address their grievances, they risk being sidelined. People have faced difficulties and hardships, and their concerns have not been addressed. They know the party could be pushed to the margins and, therefore, their anger is justified,” he said.
Sharma also criticized NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah over his recent remarks regarding Pakistan and Kashmir, accusing him of making such statements for political mileage. “Dr Farooq Abdullah always tries to remain in the limelight. He knows that Article 370 has been buried and Article 35A has been abolished, but for the sake of vote-bank politics, he continues to make such statements,” Sharma said, reiterating that the BJP-led Central government will not restore Articles 370 and 35A, reports said.
