Srinagar:: In one of the sharpest political attacks ahead of the assembly session, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of spreading “lies and hatred against the BJP and the Centre,” asserting that “the doors of the BJP were closed for Omar Abdullah even then and even now.”
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sharma dismissed Omar Abdullah’s recent claims that he had the “option” to align with the BJP in 2024, calling it “a fabricated narrative to mislead the people of Kashmir.”
“My brother, I do not understand which dream you saw that the BJP offered you an alliance. I say this with great responsibility, if any leader of the BJP has offered you, you should confirm it publicly. Otherwise, apologize to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for lying,” Sharma said.
Sharma launched a sweeping attack on both the Abdullah and Mufti families, accusing them of decades-long “political manipulation” of Kashmiri sentiment. “You go to Delhi and maintain complete friendship with the same leaders of the Centre, but in Kashmir, you create hatred against them. This is your dual politics,” he said as per KNS.
He described Omar Abdullah’s recent statements about BJP’s alleged approach as “the height of political shamelessness,” saying, “Even when BJP was at the Centre and NC in opposition, no such offer was ever made. The BJP does not need you to form a government here.”
“We are in opposition, and we are satisfied. We are happy. We have nothing to do with the government. You run your government; we will do our work,” he said.
Touting what he called the “biggest achievement” of the Indian government and the Home Ministry, Sharma said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had transformed “beyond recognition” since 2019.
“Today the atmosphere is calm. There is no terrorism. For the first time in 35 years, there has not been a single local recruitment into terrorist ranks. This means the youth of Kashmir have accepted the democratic setup of India,” he said.
Contrasting this with the past, Sharma alleged that during the rule of “those who now demand statehood,” thousands of local youth had joined terrorism. “When it was your time, thousands were recruited into terrorism. Now, not a single one. This is the result of the BJP government’s consistent policy,” he added.
He said the current peace reflected a generational change in public sentiment. “The youth of Kashmir today are determined to study, work, and progress within India’s democracy. They have rejected violence,” he noted.
He accused the Abdullahs of sidelining senior National Conference workers and promoting dynastic succession.
“You are a prince of the Abdullah family. You didn’t struggle. You didn’t work hard. Your only merit was being Farooq Abdullah’s son. You were made to sit by pushing aside hardworking NC leaders. And now, even the fourth generation of your family is ready to push others out,” he said.
Sharma lashed out at Omar Abdullah’s claim that the Congress and National Conference “know how to fight terrorism,” calling it “a cruel joke on the history of J&K.”
“India became free in 1947. Until 1989, it was mostly the Congress in power at the Centre and the NC in J&K. During that period, terrorism was born here. So, who should answer where this bloodshed came from?” he asked.
The BJP leader said that until 1989, the BJP was in the opposition and had no role in J&K’s security decisions. “It was your governance that allowed militancy to spread. You cannot escape that truth,” Sharma said.
He contrasted the NC’s tenure from 2008 to 2014 with the post-2019 period under central administration, citing a dramatic fall in law and order incidents.
“Between 2008 and 2014, when Omar Abdullah was the Chief Minister, there were 7,000 law and order incidents. From 2019 to 2024, under the Home Ministry, only 18 incidents. Seven thousand versus eighteen, that is the difference between your rule and ours,” he said.
Refuting NC’s charge that BJP’s governance in J&K lacked administrative control, Sharma said that people had witnessed unprecedented stability and progress in the region.
“When you ruled, schools were shut, shops were closed, hotels were empty, and fear ruled the streets. Today, schools are open, hotels are full, and life is normal. Yet you keep trying to show BJP in a bad mirror. I appeal to the people, remove that mirror and compare for yourself,” he said.
He urged people to “look beyond the narratives” set by traditional political dynasties. “For 70 years, these two families, the Abdullahs and the Muftis have thrived on anti-Centre rhetoric while maintaining friendships in Delhi. That hypocrisy must end,” he added.
Sharma alleged that Omar Abdullah’s recent statements were aimed at polarising voters ahead of the Budgam constituency election, which Abdullah is contesting.
“This is not a general political statement. This is a toolkit for Budgam. Hatred against the Centre and poison against BJP this is the Abdullah family’s toolkit for elections,” Sharma said.
He added that BJP had “no over-ambitious claim” on Budgam but would expose “NC’s lies and double standards” before the people.
“We know our ground strength. We are not contesting Budgam with tall claims. But we will not allow lies to mislead people,” he said.
Responding to questions about the recent controversies over administrative appointments, Sharma accused the NC of “spreading lies about withheld files and appointments.”
“In 16 cabinet meetings, the LG has approved 97 files and sent them back. Tell me where is the file of the Advocate General, the State Election Commission, or Chief Engineers? These files are missing because they are lying,” Sharma said.
He accused the NC of “habitual lying” to gain sympathy and attention. “If there is any ban that should be imposed, it should be on their lies,” he said.
“They call the LOP a toothless tiger and say he has no power. But even as LOP, I’m here speaking the truth. They cannot digest it,” he said.
Sharma also criticised the NC-led alliance for “inaction” on several welfare committees promised earlier.
“Where is the committee for daily wagers? Where is the committee for reservation? These committees were only for speeches. They exist only on paper,” he said.
Referring to his tenure as Transport Minister, he said he had personally regularised 129 consolidated workers and brought profit to the State Road Transport Corporation. “When I was Transport Minister, the income of the corporation was ₹70 crore. Today, it is ₹230 crore. But the NC, despite all its tall claims, has not regularised a single worker,” he added.
Asked about BJP’s priorities for the upcoming assembly session, Sharma said the party’s focus would remain on issues concerning workers, farmers, and common citizens. “All the problems on the ground whether they are of the common man, the poor, the farmer, or the labourer, we will raise them in the Assembly,” he said.
Ending his address with an appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said that the time had come for citizens to “see through the propaganda” of old political elites. “For 70 years, two families have kept this region hostage to their power. They ruled, they divided, and they prospered while common Kashmiris suffered. The BJP has broken that chain,” he said.
He claimed that the “new generation of Kashmir” was “refusing to be misled.”
“Your children are in school, your shops are open, your businesses are running. You have peace after decades. Do not let false politics take that away,” he said.
Sharma said that BJP’s political strength in J&K does not depend on any alliance. “The BJP is the largest party in the world. We have governments in multiple states. We don’t need Omar Abdullah to form one in J&K,” he said.
He also said that BJP’s approach is “people-centric, not power-centric.”
“We never begged for power. We stood with the people during change, reform, and conflict. And that is why the people trust us,” he added.(KNS)
