Omar Abdullah Accuses PDP of Enabling BJP’s Attack on J&K’s Special Status

• CM Appeals for Support in Budgam, Promises University and Cricket Stadium

Srinagar, November 8: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday strongly criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the process of dismantling Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status began not in 2019 but in 2015, when the PDP chose to form a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing an election rally in Mirgund, Budgam, Abdullah said that the alliance between the two parties laid the foundation for the erosion of J&K’s autonomy and identity.

“The BJP has inflicted the maximum damage on Jammu and Kashmir. Everything has been taken from us — our map, our dignity, and our special status,” Abdullah told the gathering. He accused the PDP of playing a pivotal role in enabling the BJP’s political agenda in the region. “In 2014, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter went to every door asking people to vote for them to keep the BJP out. The people trusted them. But what happened after the election? They joined hands with the very party they promised to oppose,” he said.

Abdullah, who had vacated the Budgam assembly seat last year after retaining Ganderbal in the 2024 elections, said the bypoll scheduled for November 11 is crucial for the development of Budgam but will not affect the stability of his government. “This election will not decide who becomes the chief minister. It will decide Budgam’s future. My government still has four more years. If you want development, the remedy is in your hands,” he said, urging voters to support National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mehmood.

Taking a swipe at the PDP, Abdullah said that their partnership with the BJP struck at the core of Jammu and Kashmir’s political identity. “It was the PDP government that introduced GST and the SARFAESI Act in J&K. These steps weakened our constitutional safeguards. The decline of our autonomy began in 2015, not in 2019. Yet, they have never apologized to the people for their betrayal,” he said.

Abdullah highlighted that the National Conference, unlike the PDP, had maintained its political integrity and refused to compromise with the BJP. “We are being punished for not falling in line with the BJP. Had we joined them, our path would have been smooth, and statehood might have been restored. But we chose principles over convenience,” he said, asserting that his party alone was confronting the BJP’s influence in the Union Territory.

He also claimed that the Congress had backed out of fielding a candidate in Nagrota at the last moment, compelling the NC to put up a candidate overnight. “When the PDP comes seeking votes, ask them who their candidate in Nagrota is. They are all aligned with the BJP in one way or another. We stand alone in fighting for J&K’s rights,” Abdullah declared.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of choosing leaders who can deliver tangible development. “Being in government and being in opposition are not the same. When you are in government, you can get more work done for your people. That is why Budgam must choose wisely,” he said. He reminded the public that even though he no longer represents Budgam in the assembly, his administration has continued to prioritize the district, with projects worth Rs 110 crore completed over the past year.

Abdullah also announced plans to establish a new university in Budgam and proposed that the district should host Kashmir’s upcoming international cricket stadium and sports academy. “Budgam is ideally located — it has proximity to the airport, railway, and highway. There is no better place for an international stadium where IPL and international matches can be held,” he added.

Omar Abdullah concluded his address with a message of accountability and pride, saying that the NC does not believe in deceitful politics. “We are what we are — right or wrong — and we leave it to the people to judge us. But we will never betray their trust for the sake of power,” he said to applause from the crowd.

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