J&K Chief Minister says BJP is revealing its intentions by talking about defections, asserts no NC MLA will rebel
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday strongly rejected speculation of internal rebellion within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), taking a sharp swipe at the BJP by declaring there are “no Eknath Shindes” in his party.
Responding to remarks made by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Abdullah accused the BJP of exposing its political intentions by openly talking about defections and government destabilisation in the Union Territory.
“It tells you about the BJP’s intentions. Eknath Shinde left the party because BJP helped him do so. It appears the Leader of Opposition is very eager to capture the Chief Minister’s chair in J&K. I must tell him there is no Eknath Shinde in the National Conference,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister’s comments came after Sharma claimed that the ruling National Conference was facing an internal crisis and that several MLAs were prepared to rebel against the party leadership.
The BJP leader had also alleged that Abdullah was delaying Cabinet expansion due to fears of dissent within the party, warning that the National Conference would “collapse like a pack of cards” once the expansion takes place.
Abdullah, however, firmly dismissed the allegations and asserted that all JKNC legislators remain united behind the party leadership.
He linked the delay in Cabinet expansion to the Centre’s decision not to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The expansion of the Cabinet could not happen because we have not been given the status of a state,” Abdullah said.
Taking direct aim at the BJP-led Centre, the chief minister claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not forgive the ruling party for withholding statehood.
“It is clear from the statement of the Leader of Opposition that the Centre may not restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir unless the BJP forms the government here,” he added.
The political war of words intensified following recent tensions over alleged cross-voting during Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Adding to the speculation, PDP leader Wahid Ur Rehman Parra had earlier claimed that the National Conference could face internal instability in the future.
In a social media post, Parra suggested Omar Abdullah may eventually have to seek support from PDP legislators despite ongoing political attacks against Mehbooba Mufti and her party.
The remarks have further sharpened political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, where the debate over statehood restoration, coalition arithmetic and political stability continues to dominate the regional political landscape.
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