Srinagar, September 19 (KNS): National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on Saturday criticised the BJP over unemployment and alleged failure to fulfil promises made to people between 2014 and 2019.

In a statement issued here, Sadhotra said the BJP had secured a strong mandate on the basis of promises relating to employment, farmers' income, economic development and investment but, according to him, had failed to deliver on several commitments.

He said unemployment had emerged as a major concern, particularly among the youth, and alleged that the promise of creating two crore jobs every year had not been fulfilled.

Sadhotra said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was particularly concerning, alleging that the economy had not developed sufficient organised sectors capable of generating sustained employment opportunities.

He said tourism, industry, private investment and other employment-generating sectors required focused attention, while youth continued to face uncertainty over employment opportunities.

“Our educated youth are looking for jobs and opportunities, while families are struggling with rising costs. They need answers, not slogans,” he said.

Sadhotra said the issue of employment could not be addressed through political rhetoric and cited the 2025 annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which reported an unemployment rate of 14.1 per cent among the 15-29 age group in Jammu and Kashmir under the usual-status measure.

He alleged that the BJP's policies had affected the younger generation and poorer sections of society and said youth in India, including Jammu and Kashmir, were seeking employment, economic opportunities and security for their families.

“The people gave the BJP an overwhelming mandate across the country, expecting jobs, development, economic opportunities and relief for ordinary families. Instead, they have been left disappointed and neglected. The BJP has pushed the youth to the wall through its unfulfilled promises,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Sadhotra said Jammu had given the BJP 29 Assembly seats in the 2024 elections, making it the dominant party in the Jammu region, and claimed that this had raised expectations that long-pending issues would receive priority.

He questioned the BJP over promises made between 2014 and 2019, including the political discourse around providing Rs 15 lakh to every family and the commitment to double farmers' income.

The BJP's 2019 manifesto had committed to making efforts to double farmers' income by 2022.

“Those claiming the BJP to cross the 400 mark in the 2024 elections were reduced to little over 200 seats in Lok Sabha,” Sadhotra said, predicting that the BJP would secure fewer than 200 seats in 2029 due to what he termed its “anti-people, anti-poor, anti-youth, anti-women and anti-farmer policies”.

On statehood, Sadhotra asked the BJP to explain its position on restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Jammu BJP leadership to prevail upon its central leadership to fulfil its commitments on the issue.

He referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, under which the erstwhile state was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Sadhotra said growing public discontent had, according to him, left the BJP increasingly focused on criticising the National Conference leadership instead of addressing questions related to governance, development and fulfilment of promises.

He said the National Conference was committed to addressing unemployment, ensuring equal economic opportunities irrespective of region or religion, restoring statehood and working for the welfare of poorer and marginalised sections.

Sadhotra also urged party workers to remain connected with people at the grassroots and raise their genuine concerns, saying public service should remain the central objective of politics.(KNS)