The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) firmly rejected any intent to join the National Conference (NC) government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. At a press conference held Wednesday, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, emphasised that the party remains content in opposition, stating there are no plans to ally with the National Conference.
Sharma stated, “The BJP never offered to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims otherwise, he should provide proof or cease misleading the public.” He challenged Abdullah to either publicly present facts or apologise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently remarked in Anantnag’s Achabal area, indicating a missed opportunity for an alliance with the BJP in 2015, akin to the integration with the PDP. He expressed his refusal, saying, “I am not ready to make that trade.”
In response, Sharma accused Abdullah of exemplifying political hypocrisy, declaring, “You were the one knocking on BJP’s doors. After your recent offer was rejected, your outcry reflects the height of political shamelessness.”
Sharma labelled the Abdullah family as “habitual liars,” accusing them of fostering animosity against the BJP and the Centre while maintaining friendly ties in New Delhi. He pointed to Abdullah’s meetings with Union ministers, where he presents shawls and shares meals, contrasting it with Abdullah’s anti-BJP stances in Jammu and Kashmir. “This double-faced politics won’t work,” he asserted.
The Leader of Opposition also addressed Abdullah’s recurring critiques regarding the restoration of statehood. Sharma claimed that the populace desires peace rather than a political system that breeds unrest. “Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? People of J&K want peace, not politics of violence,” he articulated.
Moreover, Sharma dismissed Abdullah’s assertion of lacking administrative powers, citing that the Lieutenant Governor has approved 97 out of 97 files sent to him. “Which power are you missing?” he queried, emphasising the importance of effective governance.
Finally, Sharma called on Abdullah to focus on governance instead of deceiving the people. He also expressed gratitude to the Central Government for releasing the 21st instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which amounted to ₹171 crore for 8.55 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. These initiatives, he stated, reflect the ongoing commitment of the central authorities to uplift the agrarian community.
