Billawar – Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today criticized the Congress Party for allegedly impeding the development of the Billawar-Basohli region and for denying it district status. His comments came during a public rally organized as part of the “Har-Ghar-BJP, Door-to-Door” campaign, where he voiced strong support for the BJP nominee, Satish Sharma.
Addressing the media after the rally, Dr. Singh accused the Congress of neglecting the Billawar-Basohli region over the past decade. He claimed that local legislators had been more focused on shifting political affiliations rather than addressing developmental needs. “The region has suffered due to a lack of attention from its representatives, who were preoccupied with party-hopping instead of working for local progress,” Dr. Singh stated.
He further criticized Congress MLAs for prioritizing their political gains over the development of their constituencies. “These MLAs were more concerned with pleasing their Kashmir-centric leaders to secure personal benefits rather than advocating for their own regions. This approach undermined the interests of Billawar and Basohli,” he added.
Dr. Singh also accused the Congress Party of obstructing the elevation of Billawar and Basohli to district status. He recalled that when the District Reorganisation Committee was formed, it was under Congress rule, and despite BJP’s strong advocacy for a separate district status for these regions, Congress chose to appease their Kashmir-centric masters. “The Congress-led government, in its pursuit of appeasement, failed to recognize the needs of this region while smaller districts were created elsewhere,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh pledged that a BJP-led government would prioritize granting district status to Billawar and Basohli. “One of our first decisions, once we are in power, will be to grant district status to these areas. This has been a long-standing commitment of the BJP,” he affirmed. He noted that the BJP already treats the region as a distinct entity within its organizational structure.
Highlighting recent achievements, Dr. Singh credited the Modi Government for the development seen in the region over the past five years, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370. “During this period, Basohli’s traditional arts, such as Basohli paintings and shawls, have gained GI tags. Additionally, we’ve seen significant infrastructure improvements, including new roadways and the establishment of degree colleges,” he said.
Dr. Singh urged voters to support the BJP to ensure continued progress. “For the Billawar-Basohli region to receive its due share of development, it is essential to elect a BJP MLA who can represent the region’s interests effectively. With a unified BJP presence—at the MLA, MP, and local body levels—guided by the principles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we can guarantee the region’s growth and play a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s development,” he concluded.
