The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday firmly denied any ambition to ally with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference (NC) following last year’s assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma made this declaration during a press conference, asserting the party’s satisfaction with their current position in opposition.
Sharma emphasized, “The BJP never offered to form a government with Omar Abdullah. If he claims otherwise, he should provide evidence or cease misleading the public.” This statement came in response to Abdullah’s recent assertions regarding potential coalition talks.
Abdullah had noted in Achabal, Anantnag, that he could have allied with the BJP in 2015 like the PDP did but refused to compromise, stating, “I am not ready to make that trade.” Sharma, in retaliation, accused Abdullah of a blatant display 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 stated.
The Leader of Opposition further criticized the Abdullah family’s traditional tactics, labeling them “habitual liars” who engage in political maneuvers to incite division against the BJP and the central government while ostensibly maintaining cordiality in New Delhi.
Sharma pointed to Abdullah’s meetings with Union ministers as evidence of this hypocrisy. “He presents shawls, has tea, and shares meals with them in Delhi, yet proclaims his opposition to BJP governance in Jammu and Kashmir. This double-faced politics won’t work,” he asserted.
Moreover, he raised concerns regarding Abdullah’s use of barrage-like anti-BJP sentiments as a part of a calculated strategy to strengthen his position ahead of the upcoming Budgam bypolls. Sharma declared that the residents prioritize peace over political gamesmanship.
Discussing the contentious issue of statehood restoration, Sharma pointed out that the populace does not desire a return to a political environment synonymous with disorder. “Do you want statehood for protests, killings, and shutdowns? People of J&K want peace, not politics of violence,” he remarked, highlighting the need for stability in the region.
Furthermore, he dismissed Abdullah’s claims regarding his lack of administrative powers, arguing, “The Lieutenant Governor has approved 97 out of 97 files sent to him. Which power are you missing?” This statement aimed to underscore the available governance mechanisms in place.
In conclusion, Sharma expressed a desire to shift the conversation back to meaningful governance rather than engage in what he described as deception. He also thanked the Central Government for the recent release of the 21st instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which successfully transferred ₹171 crore to support 8.55 lakh farmers across Jammu and Kashmir.
