The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) firmly stated on Wednesday that it never intended to join the National Conference (NC) government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after the assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir last year. During a press conference, Sunil Sharma, BJP’s MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, emphasized that the party is satisfied in its role as the opposition and has no plans to ally with the National Conference.
Sharma firmly denied that the BJP had offered to form a government with Abdullah, challenging the Chief Minister to either provide proof of his claims or cease misleading the public. “The BJP never sought to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims otherwise, he should show proof or stop misleading the people,” Sharma stated, calling for Abdullah to either present facts publicly or apologize to the Jammu and Kashmir populace.
Recently, Abdullah remarked in Anantnag’s Achabal area that NC could have allied with the BJP in 2015, similar to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but he chose not to, asserting, “I am not ready to make that trade.” Reacting to this statement, Sharma accused Abdullah of political hypocrisy and stated, “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.”
Sharma charged that the Abdullahs are “habitual liars” who aim to foster division against the BJP and the central government in Kashmir while enjoying amiable interactions in Delhi. He pointed out that while Abdullah engages in meetings with Union ministers, presenting gifts and sharing meals, he asserts that he won’t permit the BJP to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir, labeling this as double-faced politics.
Additionally, Sharma accused Abdullah of using anti-BJP rhetoric as part of a scheme to incite hatred leading up to the Budgam bypolls. Regarding the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma asserted that citizens do not favor a system that stirs unrest. “Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? The people of J&K desire peace, not a politics rooted in violence,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for stability in the region.
Sharma dismissed Abdullah’s claims of lacking administrative authority. “The Lieutenant Governor has approved 97 out of 97 files sent to him. What power are you missing?” he insisted, advocating for a governance approach that prioritizes the welfare of the populace. He urged Abdullah to concentrate on administering effectively rather than misleading citizens.
In closing, Sharma expressed gratitude to the Central Government for releasing the 21st installment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, an initiative that transferred ₹171 crore to support 8.55 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. This financial assistance underscores the focus of the BJP on agricultural development in the region, further solidifying its commitment to the welfare of farmers.
