The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decisively reiterated that it has no plans to join the National Conference (NC) government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah following the assembly elections held last year in Jammu and Kashmir. In a clarifying statement on Wednesday, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, confirmed that the party is content with its current position in the opposition.
“The BJP never offered to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims otherwise, he should provide proof or stop misleading the people,” Sharma stated unequivocally during a press conference. He urged Abdullah to either present the facts publicly or issue an apology to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
During a recent speaking engagement in the Achabal area of Anantnag, Abdullah had alleged that the NC could have allied with the BJP in 2015, similar to the alliance with the PDP. He emphasized, “I am not ready to make that trade,” indicating his reluctance to partner with the BJP.
Sharma vehemently refuted Abdullah’s claims, accusing him of political hypocrisy. “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,” he asserted, underscoring the BJP’s steadfast stance.
Additionally, Sharma criticized the Abdullah family, labeling them as “habitual liars” who incite public animosity against the BJP and the central government in Kashmir while maintaining amicable relationships in Delhi. He pointed out Abdullah’s meetings with Union ministers, stating, “He presents shawls, has tea, and dines with them in Delhi, yet claims he won’t allow the BJP to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir. This double-faced politics won’t work.”
Sharma also challenged Abdullah’s accusations regarding a lack of administrative authority, asserting that the Lieutenant Governor had approved all 97 files sent to him from the NC government. “Which power are you missing?” he questioned, seeking accountability.
On the topic of statehood restoration, Sharma positioned the BJP’s stance clearly. He stated, “People do not want a return to systems that fuel unrest. Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? The citizens of Jammu and Kashmir desire peace, not a politics marred by violence.”
As a concluding request, Sharma called upon Abdullah to focus on governance instead of what he termed “fooling people.” He further expressed his gratitude towards the Central Government for releasing the 21st instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which transfers ₹171 crore to support 8.55 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
