Opposition calls Narendra Modi's package for Jammu and Kashmir a joke; slams it as ploy for upcoming polls

Ruling National Conference and its coalition partner Congress tonight described as "big let down" and a "joke" the assistance of Rs 745 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reconstruction of houses and hospitals damaged in the recent floods in the state. Minutes after the Prime Minister left the valley after a four-hour stay, political parties in the state quickly reacted to his announcement with National Conference spokesman terming it as a "big let down".

He said people had high expectations that Modi would made a significant announcement but the package announced "doesn't go far enough". "People criticising the Chief Minister before this visit saying that 'Omar has failed, now Modi will come to rescue us' should realise how misplaced their criticism and expectations were," the spokesperson said.

Former Chief Minister and leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad termed the announcement as a "joke with the people of the state". In comparison to what the state government has recommended and the magnitude of the disaster, "this is just playing a joke with the people of the state or rather this is insulting to all those who have suffered human and collateral loss". In Delhi, senior Congress leader P C Chacko termed the package as "paltry" and aimed at helping BJP in the coming assembly elections in the state.

"Modi is visiting the state now because it is going to polls. The whole country knows that the PM's visit is not to help Kashmir but to help his party. Playing politics with the natural calamity affected state is a very unfair thing he is doing," Chacko said. BJP rejected the charges and said the visit will act as a balm to wounds of people who have been affected by the floods. "It has no connection with vote. The PM is not BJP's PM, he is the PM of the entire nation, of every citizen. He is the PM of everyone who lives within Kashmir to Kanyakumari," senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he hoped that that there will be some clarity as to whether this money is an instalment towards the full package. "We had hoped that we would get some indication with regard to the acceptance of the package that the state government has asked for but that was not forthcoming," he said. Omar said his every effort was focused on ensuring that no one is without shelter before the onset of winter and that's why the package submitted by the state assumes significance.

The Omar Abdullah-led cabinet has submitted a Rs 44,000 crore package to the Centre for relief and rehabilitation of the people of the state affected by the floods that virtually submerged Srinagar city and south Kashmir. Main Opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir PDP said this may not be the final package because the devastation "is at a very enormous scale". "We believe that this is only an installment coming to the Kashmir Valley," party spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar said.

CPI-M leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami termed the package as an "insult" and accused the Centre of playing with the sentiments of the people of the state. Modi, who was here for nearly four hours after his visit to Siachen, announced Rs 570 crore assistance for housing and another Rs 175 crore for six major hospitals in the state that were in poor condition and required immediate intervention. He also directed that schoolchildren who had lost books etc in the flood, should be provided the necessary study material immediately.