Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 12

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of attempting to recast himself as the party’s principal political opponent to divert attention from what it described as his government’s unfulfilled election promises and poor administrative performance.

Sunil Kumar Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, said Abdullah’s recent attacks on the BJP reflected mounting political pressure on the National Conference (NC) government rather than substantive policy differences.

“He is trying to project himself as a crusader against the BJP because he has failed to deliver on the promises made to the people during the Assembly elections,” Sharma told reporters in Jammu.

The exchange marks the latest escalation in a war of words between the ruling National Conference and the opposition BJP as the two parties sharpen their political campaigns over issues including the restoration of statehood, governance and alleged attempts to engineer defections.

Sharma challenged Abdullah to produce evidence supporting his recent allegation that the BJP had offered between 200 million and 300 million rupees ($2.3 million-$3.5 million) to one of the National Conference’s legislators in an attempt to persuade the lawmaker to switch allegiance.

“If there is even an iota of truth in what he has alleged, let him place the evidence before the people,” Sharma said. “I will publicly apologise if he proves his claim.”

He said the BJP would consider initiating legal proceedings against the chief minister if he failed to substantiate the accusation.

Abdullah has recently accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise his government by encouraging defections, allegations that the BJP has rejected.

Sharma described those accusations as politically motivated and intended to divert attention from public dissatisfaction with the National Conference administration.

“He finds himself trapped by the promises made during the election campaign,” Sharma said. “Instead of answering people’s questions, he is trying to shift the political narrative.”

The BJP leader alleged that Abdullah was attempting to reshape his political image by portraying himself as the party’s strongest opponent ahead of future political contests.

“He wants to be remembered as someone who fought the BJP,” Sharma said.

The Leader of the Opposition also criticised Abdullah’s tenure as chief minister, accusing him of failing to provide effective governance since assuming office.

Without elaborating on specific policy decisions, Sharma claimed the chief minister had devoted more attention to public appearances than administration.

“He will be remembered as one of the most ineffective chief ministers Jammu and Kashmir has had,” Sharma said.

The remarks come amid an increasingly confrontational political atmosphere in the Union Territory, where the National Conference has stepped up its campaign demanding the restoration of statehood and greater powers for the elected government.

Abdullah has argued that the Centre has delayed fulfilling its commitment to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood despite repeated assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government.

The BJP has maintained that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time while emphasising that peace, development and institutional stability remain its priorities following the constitutional reorganisation of the region in 2019.

The exchange underscores widening political divisions between the ruling National Conference and the BJP as both parties seek to shape public opinion ahead of the National Conference’s proposed July 20 protest in New Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.