Neglect of border areas exposed BJP’s ‘Desh Bhakti model’: Bhardwaj

STATE TIMES NEWS

ARNIA: Senior Congress leader and member AICC, Mohinder Bhardwaj has said that the self-acknowledged “Desh Bhakti” model of the BJP has been thoroughly exposed by the total neglect of the border areas by its central and local leadership.
Those people who brave Pakistan’s unprovoked firing and stand shoulder to shoulder with our security forces in all adversities are living under trying conditions in the absence of civic amenities, health and education facilities, poor water and power supply and above all no provision to provide them safety from firing from across the border. Addressing an impressive election meeting in this town near the International Border in support of the Congress candidate for DDC elections from Arnia block, Suman Jyoti, he said that these people living in border villages also form an extra line of defence and neglecting them proves beyond any doubt that the ” Desh Bhakti’ is merely a political slogan for the BJP and its leaders and meant to emotionally blackmail the people to gain their votes.
“Residing on the zero line you are the real sufferers for want of much promised basic amenities needed to lead a comfortable life. You should not only understand the BJP’s diabolical plan and not allow them to emotionally blackmail you but also question their leaders on what has happened to the lofty promises made by them for your betterment,” he told the gathering. Bhardwaj wondered as to why Union Ministers and MPs are being sent by the BJP to canvass in these areas and ask for votes and why the party’s local leaders have been missing from the campaign. In fact the local leaders have not bothered, even when the BJP-PDP government was in power, to enquire about the plight of the people. The only justification behind the BJP’s central leaders and ministers being pressed into service is to hide the inefficient local leaders and protect them from public ire.
“Do these central leaders of BJP know about your problems? Have they during the course of campaigning offered any solution to improve your standard of living and protect you from Pakistan firing? he asked the people.
He said that the people of border areas such as Changia have been deprived of regular power and water for irrigation purposes which has totally disturbed their daily life.
It has not only disturbed their social and professional lives also. Since most of the people here are farmers, the farming activities have come to a standstill in the absence of regular power and water for irrigation purposes. The border areas are plunged into darkness as soon as the evenings set-in which further endangers their lives in the face of Pakistan firing.
“Where are the much promised bunkers? A few bunkers that have been constructed are technically flawed and remain waterlogged most of the time forcing the people to stay in the open when Pakistan resorts to firing which has been resulting in loss of lives and injuries,” he said. If not this then what else would expose the “Desh Bhakti” model of the BJP. In fact the major part of Jammu region being along the IB and Line of Control is exposed to Pakistan’s misadventures. While our security forces have been giving a befitting reply unfortunately the governments of the day have failed to protect people in all respects, he added.
Bhardwaj asked people to teach a befitting lesson to those who have been feeding lies in the name of development.