Omar Abdullah Denies BJP’s Claim of Seeking Alliance in 2024, Says ‘Swear on Quran, I Did Not’
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister rejects BJP leader Sunil Sharma’s allegations, says National Conference is the only party fighting the BJP in the region
Srinagar, November 9 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah firmly rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s allegations that he had sought an alliance with the ruling party at the Centre in 2024 in exchange for the restoration of statehood. Responding to the claims made by BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, Omar Abdullah stated that the accusations were completely baseless and politically motivated.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Abdullah said, “I swear on the Holy Quran that I did not approach the BJP in 2024 for any alliance or for statehood restoration. Unlike Sunil Sharma, I do not tell lies for a living.” His sharp rebuttal came soon after Sharma’s public remarks at an election rally in Budgam, where the BJP leader had accused Abdullah of secretly reaching out to the BJP leadership in Delhi with an offer to form a government if statehood was returned to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sunil Sharma reiterated his earlier claims that Abdullah had attempted a similar approach following the 2014 Assembly elections when no party secured a clear majority. “He went to Delhi again in 2024 with a proposal for power-sharing, but our leadership stood firm on principles and refused such opportunistic moves,” Sharma told reporters. He even dared Abdullah to visit a mosque or any religious place and swear on the Holy Quran that he did not travel to Delhi for alliance talks.
In response, Abdullah said that the BJP was resorting to false propaganda to distract voters from the real issues. He maintained that the National Conference remains steadfast in its stand against the BJP’s policies and continues to be the only true opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir. “We are fighting for the rights and dignity of the people, not for political deals,” Abdullah said.
Earlier in the day, Sharma, while campaigning for BJP candidate Syed Mohsin in Budgam, alleged that the National Conference was using double standards and deceit to block the BJP’s rise in the region. He said that the large turnout at BJP rallies reflected people’s growing trust in the party’s vision for peace, progress, and prosperity.
The political exchange between Omar Abdullah and Sunil Sharma has intensified the ongoing electoral battle in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the deep ideological divide between the National Conference and the BJP.
