No Dual Govt LG, CM Like Brothers: BJP Leader

Srinagar- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravinder Raina on Friday dismissed claims of a“dual government” in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are working in complete coordination for the welfare of the people.

“There is no dual government, but there are two brothers – one elder and one younger,” Raina told reporters during his visit to Asia's second-largest fruit mandi in Sopore.

Raina explained that both the LG and the elected government share the common goal of ensuring development and public welfare.“The LG wishes for the betterment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and so does the elected government led by Omar Abdullah. Both the brothers are working together and when they do, the betterment efforts become stronger,” he said.

Addressing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remarks that he has“nothing in his hand,” Raina suggested that the statement may have been made in anger. He added that the concerned ministers and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are working on highway restoration“on a war footing.”

Highlighting progress on transport and horticulture fronts, Raina said over 10,000 fruit-laden trucks had crossed Jammu in the last 24 hours, and the pace of movement was expected to increase further.“Hopefully, within the next 10 days, packed apples will be transported to different parts of the country,” he assured.

Acknowledging the losses faced by apple growers and traders due to prolonged highway blockages, Raina said he had witnessed“lakhs of apple boxes ready for transportation” and emphasized that the demands of mandi leadership, including prioritising highway restoration, would be raised with the LG and, if needed, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

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