Farooq Abdullah questions BJP’s credibility, asking whether pre-election pledges are meant to be fulfilled—or simply forgotten.
By: Javid Amin | 19 September 2025
Abdullah’s Sharp Question
National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah has openly challenged the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) credibility, questioning whether its much-publicized promises for Jammu & Kashmir were ever intended to be fulfilled.
“Which promises will be fulfilled in 10 months? The promises BJP made to us — have they been fulfilled or were they just big talks?” Abdullah asked at a public gathering in Srinagar.
His statement comes as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the BJP launching fresh pledges centered on development, investment, and national integration.
Context & Undercurrents
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Unfulfilled Promises: From large-scale job creation to restoration of statehood, many commitments made in 2019 and later remain pending.
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Public Sentiment: Abdullah’s remarks mirror growing frustration among Kashmiris, particularly youth, who feel alienated by Delhi’s centralizing policies.
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Political Timing: With less than a year before elections, Abdullah’s intervention is being read as an attempt to reclaim narrative space from the BJP and mobilize disenchanted voters.
The Election Battlefield
The 2026 elections are shaping up to be a referendum on governance versus promises:
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BJP’s Pitch: Development projects, security stabilization, and “new Kashmir” rhetoric.
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NC & PDP’s Counter: Demands for restoration of full statehood, more local say in policymaking, and addressing rising unemployment.
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People’s Conference & Others: Positioning themselves as alternatives, seeking to capitalize on voter fatigue with traditional parties.
Why Abdullah’s Words Matter
As a veteran politician and former Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah retains influence in Kashmir’s political psyche. His questioning of the BJP’s timelines strikes at the core of the credibility gap — promises versus delivery.
By framing it as “10 months versus big talks,” Abdullah not only undermines the BJP’s election slogans but also sets the stage for what may become the central theme of the upcoming campaign.
Bottom-Line
Farooq Abdullah’s pointed remarks highlight the gulf between political promise and lived reality in Jammu & Kashmir. With the countdown to 2026 already underway, the real test for the BJP — and its rivals — will be whether they can convert slogans into tangible outcomes in the months ahead.
