Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has escalated a controversy surrounding the 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar, publicly challenging a senior BJP leader to identify a "very big leader" from the party allegedly involved in interfering with the project's work.
Call for Public Disclosure
The National Conference leader made these remarks on December 20, 2025, during an event in Jammu. Turning to the Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly, BJP's Sunil Sharma, Choudhary stated, "You are a very tall leader of the Chenab Valley region and you should yourself disclose the name of that leader to the public." He emphasized that the need was to find out "who is the big BJP leader behind all this."
Choudhary referenced recent allegations made by Harpal Singh, the Chief Operating Officer of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited and the Ratle project in-charge. Singh had publicly stated that the project was facing a two-year delay and warned of a potential pullout, blaming disruptions caused by local BJP MLA Shagun Parihar for pushing to hire "her people."
Allegations of a 'Parchi' System
The Deputy CM claimed that the issue was not limited to Parihar alone. He revealed that two months ago, he had raised concerns that all works at under-construction hydro-electric projects in Kishtwar district were being decided based on the "parchi" (recommendations) of a prominent BJP figure.
"It is on his parchi that a decision is taken as to who will be employed, or who will get contract for the supply of sand and bajri, or whose dumper or machine will be deployed for the project work," Choudhary alleged. He insisted that decisions about recruitment should be based on ability and merit, allowing poor locals to get jobs fairly.
Demand for Inquiry and Nationalist Stance
With the project head's public accusations, Choudhary asserted that the time had come for an official inquiry. "Agencies need to intervene as these projects don't belong only to J&K, but to the entire country," he said.
He also questioned the BJP's claims of nationalism and principle. "Then why are you ruining these projects which belong to the nation?... If you have true nationalism, then companies working on these projects should be given a free hand and their officials allowed to work without interference," Choudhary challenged.
While Sunil Sharma was unavailable for comment, BJP MLA Shagun Parihar denied any involvement of a senior party leader. She dismissed Singh's allegations as "irresponsible" and "irrelevant," counter-accusing him of recruiting mostly surrendered militants for the project. She suggested the NC should scrutinize its own ranks instead.
The Ratle plant is a long-pending hydel project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district, executed as a joint venture between the Centre and the J&K government. The current row threatens to further delay this critical infrastructure project for the region.
