Jammu and Kashmir: BJP accuses AIIMS committee of 'breach' of agreement

Jammu: BJP on Saturday accused the AIIMS coordination committee of "breaching" the agreement it had reached with Jammu and Kashmir government over setting up of the premier health institute in Jammu and said the party was "hopeful of a positive decision" in this regard by July 20.

"By issuing politically motivated statements before the deadline reached by the deputy chief minister and the ACC representatives is a breach of agreement," J-K BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi said in Jammu.

The AIIMS coordination committee (ACC), an amalgam of over 70 social religious, political and business organisations, has been spearheading the demand of setting up of AIIMS in Jammu.

The ACC had reached an agreement with the government after deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Singh assured its representatives that order in the effect of setting up of AIIMS in Jammu would be issued on or before July 20.

"We still have two days and how can ACC claim that we are not doing anything in this regard? The BJP is committed to ensuring welfare and well-being of the people of Jammu and we are also committed to fulfilling their aspirations," Sethi said.

He said that state BJP was "seriously pushing" the issue with party's central leadership.

Sethi said that the ongoing dialogue between the state and central leadership of the party was in an "advanced stage" and it was hopeful that a "positive" decision would be taken in the next two days.

"By winning 25 seats in the assembly elections, BJP has proven its representative character in Jammu region. People of the region are important to us, the ACC must not misguide them," he said.

Reacting to ACC's statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make any statement regarding the issue during his visit here yesterday, he said that his visit was aimed at paying tributes to Girdhari Lal Dogra and not at making any political announcements.

The ACC had on Saturday said that the people of Jammu region were "dejected" by failure of the announcement by the Prime Minister over AIIMS demand.

It had urged people to get ready for mass movement in Jammu to achieve their desired goal.

"The people of Jammu region had hoped that Prime Minister would announce AIIMS for Jammu during his Jammu visit today but he did not do so", ACC chairman and president of Jammu Bar Association, Abhinav Sharma had said.