‘63% Development Funds Diverted to One Constituency’: Pir Panjal MLAs Revolt Against Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary

Budhal, Thanamandi & Surankote Legislators Allege Discrimination; Say CM Omar Abdullah Was Informed, Fresh Meeting Planned

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

RAJOURI JUNE  30:-A major political controversy has erupted within the ruling National Conference in the Pir Panjal region after MLAs from Budhal, Thanamandi and Surankote accused Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary of allegedly discriminating against their constituencies in the distribution of development funds.

The allegations surfaced during the Deputy Chief Minister’s three-day tour of Rajouri and Poonch districts. Significantly, the MLAs representing Budhal, Thanamandi and Surankote stayed away from all official programmes held during the visit, reflecting growing resentment over what they described as unequal treatment.

Addressing the media, the legislators alleged that nearly 63 percent of the funds under various Central and UT Government-sponsored development schemes have been allocated to a single constituency, while Budhal, Thanamandi and Surankote have allegedly been neglected.

MLA Budhal, Javed Iqbal, said the matter had already been taken up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a meeting in Kashmir about a month ago.

“The Chief Minister was informed about the alleged discrimination. He assured us that the matter would be addressed and gave the Deputy Chief Minister one month’s time to resolve the issue. However, nothing has changed, and the situation remains the same,” Javed Iqbal said.

He added that the aggrieved MLAs would soon seek another meeting with the Chief Minister to once again raise the issue and demand equitable allocation of development funds among all constituencies of the Pir Panjal region.

The developments indicate growing dissatisfaction among the three legislators over the functioning of the Deputy Chief Minister. Political observers believe the dispute could become a significant issue within the ruling alliance if the concerns raised by the MLAs remain unresolved.

No official response from the office of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was available at the time of filing this report.