Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 2

Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Kumar Sharma on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of reducing governance to “loyalty parades”, alleging that the ruling National Conference was using party meetings to test the allegiance of its legislators.

Sharma described a meeting convened by Abdullah with National Conference (NC) legislators on June 3 as a “floor test”, saying it reflected the CM’s concern about retaining support within the party.

“This meeting is nothing more than a floor test,” Sharma told reporters. “Omar Abdullah has started a weekly ritual of floor tests to check the loyalty of his MLAs.”

He alleged that earlier meetings, including a Provincial Working Committee meeting and a dinner hosted by the deputy chief minister, had served a similar purpose.

Sharma also criticised Abdullah over his decision to head the government in the Union Territory, referring to past statements in which the National Conference leader had expressed reservations about participating in the political structure established after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.

Sharma said Abdullah had previously stated that he would not contest elections or serve in the legislature of a Union Territory and questioned why he had changed that position.

“The Abdullah family has only one ideology – power,” Sharma said.

The National Conference has repeatedly defended its participation in the electoral process, arguing that engagement in democratic institutions is necessary to represent the interests of the people and pursue the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

The ruling party had not immediately responded to Sharma’s latest remarks.