The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) firmly denied any intentions to join Omar Abdullah’s National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir during a press conference held on Wednesday. BJP’s Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, asserted that the party is satisfied with its role in opposition following the assembly elections held last year.
Sharma made it clear, stating, “The BJP never offered to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims so, he should show proof or stop misleading the people.” He emphasized that Abdullah should either present facts supporting his statements publicly or issue an apology to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
During a recent address in the Achabal area of Anantnag, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mentioned that the National Conference could have allied with the BJP in 2015, akin to the alliance with the PDP. However, he declined such possibilities, asserting, “I am not ready to make that trade.”
In response, Sharma criticized Abdullah for what he termed political hypocrisy, asserting, “You were the one knocking on BJP’s doors. When your recent offer was rejected, you started crying foul. This is the height of political shamelessness.” His remarks pointed to a perceived inconsistency in Abdullah’s political approach.
Sharma referred to Abdullah’s past engagements with Union ministers, alleging that while Abdullah seeks cordial relationships in New Delhi, he adopts a contradictory stance in Jammu and Kashmir. “He presents shawls, has tea, and dines with them in Delhi, but in Jammu and Kashmir, he says he won’t allow the BJP to form the government. This double-faced politics won’t work,” he articulated.
Furthermore, Sharma accused Abdullah of employing anti-BJP rhetoric, labeling it as part of a “toolkit to spread hatred” ahead of the upcoming Budgam bypolls. This strategy, according to Sharma, reflects a deeper issue of political engagement oriented around divisive narratives.
Addressing the contentious topic of statehood restoration, Sharma expressed concerns over returning to a governance model that previously fueled unrest. He questioned the motivation behind such calls, posing a provocative question: “Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? People of J&K want peace, not politics of violence.” This underscores his perspective on prioritizing stability over political gains.
Sharma also dismissed Abdullah’s claims regarding a lack of administrative powers, referencing recent actions by the Lieutenant Governor, who reportedly approved all 97 files sent by Abdullah’s administration. “Which power are you missing?” he challenged Abdullah, suggesting that any claims of powerlessness lack substantive merit.
Concluding his statements, Sharma urged Abdullah to prioritize governance and abandon attempts to mislead the constituents. He expressed appreciation for the Central Government’s initiatives, particularly highlighting the release of the 21st instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. This financial support transferred ₹171 crore to 8.55 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, further reinforcing the BJP’s commitment to raising the livelihoods of the local populace.
