Mehbooba Mufti Slams Omar Abdullah: “Reinforcing BJP Narrative” on J&K Statehood
By: Javid Amin | 25 September 2025
Sparks Fly in J&K Politics
The fragile opposition unity in Jammu & Kashmir faced fresh strain on Thursday after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti publicly rebuked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his controversial remarks linking the delay in statehood restoration to the absence of a BJP-led government in the region.
“This is not just disappointing—it’s dangerous. Omar is reinforcing the very narrative that stripped us of our dignity and rights,” Mehbooba said in Anantnag, adding that the comments risk normalizing political coercion.
Her remarks come at a time when J&K’s political landscape is already roiled by violent protests in Leh, detentions of MLAs, and widespread flood damage, with the October 13 Assembly session looming as a make-or-break moment for the opposition.
The Trigger: Omar’s Controversial Statement
Earlier this week, Omar Abdullah had suggested that J&K’s lack of statehood was directly tied to electoral choices.
“As people didn’t form a BJP government, J&K hasn’t got statehood. That’s the reality,” Omar said at a press interaction in Srinagar.
The comment, read by critics as an admission that statehood is being used as a political reward rather than a constitutional right, drew sharp reactions not only from Mehbooba but also from sections of civil society who felt it echoed the ruling party’s justification.
Mehbooba’s Counterattack
In her rebuttal, Mehbooba warned that normalizing such a view was tantamount to validating the Centre’s heavy-handedness since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
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“A Betrayal of Sentiment”: Mehbooba accused Omar of sidelining the pain of J&K residents who feel disempowered under Union Territory status.
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“Narrative Reinforcement”: She said the CM’s words risk giving legitimacy to the BJP’s line that democratic rights are conditional on political loyalty.
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“Unity at Risk”: Mehbooba stressed that opposition leaders must stay focused on demanding justice, not inadvertently justifying delay.
“We should be united in demanding justice—not justifying delay,” she declared.
Political Undercurrents
The war of words has exposed fault lines within the anti-BJP bloc at a delicate moment:
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Opposition Unity Questioned: The exchange has raised fears that fragile cooperation between the JKNC and PDP could unravel.
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Assembly Session Impact: With statehood, Leh unrest, and flood rehabilitation already on the agenda, the Assembly could become an arena of intra-opposition sparring, to the BJP’s advantage.
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Public Perception: For civil society and youth groups, the tussle signals disarray at the very time when they seek clarity and strength from their leaders.
What’s at Stake
With anger simmering in Ladakh after violent protests, mounting grievances over MLA detentions, and urgent calls for flood relief, the question of statehood is once again at the heart of Kashmir’s political discourse.
Mehbooba’s sharp rebuke of Omar may galvanize grassroots groups who feel alienated from mainstream politics. But it also risks splintering opposition unity—ironically making it harder to push back against Delhi’s delays.
For many in J&K, the exchange reflects a deeper malaise: leaders caught between resisting the BJP and, at times, appearing to echo it.
Bottom-line
As the countdown to the October 13 Assembly session begins, the spotlight is firmly on how the opposition positions itself. If Omar and Mehbooba cannot align their messaging, the BJP may find itself better placed to frame the narrative.
For now, Mehbooba’s warning stands as a reminder:
“Statehood is not a favour to be granted for loyalty. It is our right—and no leader should suggest otherwise.”
