BJP-PDP Government 'Throttling the Voice' of Opposition, Says Congress

Jammu: Congress today accused the BJP-PDP coalition government of 'throttling the voice of opposition' in both the houses of the state legislature and termed the ruling alliance as a "total failure", as it protested outside the party office in Jammu.

The protesters also burnt the effigy of the state government demanding rollback of the service tax imposed on the helicopter service for Vaishno Devi-bound pilgrims.

"The government is not only throttling the voice of opposition in both the houses, but it has also imposed service tax on helicopter service to Vaishno Devi, it has also failed to fulfil the demands of daily wagers/casual labours and need base workers in different departments," Congress senior vice president Sham Lal Sharma said.

Addressing the gathering of Congress leaders and workers, Mr Sharma lashed out at PDP-BJP coalition government for its "utter failure on all fronts".

"The BJP which claims to be the champion of Jammu people has betrayed the mandate of the people by taking U-turn on all vital commitments made with the people of the state, especially Jammu region during elections. This government is a total failure," Mr Sharma said.

He said the state government has imposed Service Tax on the helicopter service to Vaishno Devi with the consent of BJP leadership in the State.

Mr Sharma also the BJP-PDP government was trying to divide the people on lines of region and religion by vitiating the atmosphere of peace in the state.

Speaking on the occasion senior Congress leader and former Minister Raman Bhalla appreciated the role of Congress lawmakers in both the houses who are raising various issues of the people of these regions including the imposing of tax on pilgrims.

"Congress legislators are raising the issues of denial of adequate relief and rehabilitation to the rain and flood affected people, the issues of agitating workers and employees, the deteriorating law and order situation in the State, especially in the Valley, the faulty Public Distribution System and hike in power tariff for the common consumers," he said.

Mr Bhalla said Congress would continue its fight both inside and outside the State Legislature over the issues of people of three regions and different sections of the society and expose the failure of the coalition.