Farooq again sheds crocodile tears in Jammu and exposes his ignorance: BJP

Brig Veteran Anil Gupta

In a press release issued here today, Bharatiya Janata Party has accused
National Conference President and MP Dr. Farooq Abdullah for resorting to
“theatre politics” and shedding crocodile tears about development of local
tourism around Jammu in the area of Surinsar Lake. Accompanied by many
local leaders of NC including the provincial president Jammu, Dr. Farooq visited
Surinsar and made a fervent appeal to the LG to develop the area as a tourist
destination to boost the local economy and tourism in the Jammu region. “One
among the many outcomes of his stint out of power is his new found love for
the Dogra heritage and tourism potential of the Jammu region. While in power
he and his party took every step possible to destroy the rich Dogra heritage
and neglect the tourism potential of Jammu lest it threatened the Kashmiri
monopoly,” rued Brig Veteran Anil Gupta, Spokesperson of the party. Though it
is too late now.

But in doing so, Dr. Farooq has exposed his ignorance of the multifarious
development projects launched by Modi government for promotion and
rejuvenation of local heritage and tourism potential of the area. Curiously
enough none of his local leaders also deemed it fit to brief him about the
Mansar Rejuvenation Project 2020 whose e- foundation was laid on November
1 last year jointly by Dr. Jitendra Singh Union Minister in PMO and LG Manoj
Sinha. The project envisages holistic development of the twin lakes of Mansar –
Surinsar and the intervening area into a multi-purpose tourist destination
stated Brig Gupta.

To ensure that the project does not become the victim of financial crunch or
uncertain fund support the complete project is centrally funded with an outlay
of 198.37 crore. It’s a comprehensive project which apart from promoting
tourism and development of a week-end picnic spot for the locals also has
ecological and religious importance. It also aims at preservation and promotion
of the rich Dogra heritage by renovating the local “haveli” as well as the
historic temples in the area.

While the twin-lake areas are being developed into tourist spots with
recreation parks, fountains, eateries, gift galleries, picnic spots, boating and                                                  adequate reception and parking facilities, the intervening area will be                                                            developed as a reserve forest. Water sports facilities and trekking will be
introduced for adventure lovers while the bird-lovers would be provided with
viewing areas for birdwatching informed Brig Gupta. The entire area would be
developed into a true multi-purpose destination catering not only for the local
tourists of all ages but would also attract domestic tourists, NRIs and foreign
tourists. It would also give a major boost to the promotion of rich Dogra
heritage and culture through introduction of local cuisine. Well connected with
a good road network and served by the Delhi-Katra Expressway, the area is
destined to emerge as a major tourist attraction of Jammu stated Brig Gupta.

“Dr. Farooq and local NC leadership should explain to the people of Jammu the
reason for their deliberate neglect of the region and it’s subject to the worst
form of regional discrimination rather than simply shedding the crocodile
tears. The irreparable damage caused to the rich Dogra heritage and
unpardonable hurt caused to the Dogra pride over past seven decades cannot
be washed away by resorting to theatre politics”, asserted Brig Gupta.

The good days for the neglected regions of the UT have arrived with Modi’s
assurance of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, summed up the press
release.

(Brig Veteran Anil Gupta)
Spokesperson, BJP