Omar Abdullah battles coalition and credibility crisis in J&K
On October 16, 2024, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the return of an elected government after a six-year hiatus under central rule.
This followed the JKNC-led coalition’s decisive victory in the 2024 Assembly elections, securing 42 seats and external support from the Congress Party, which had won six seats.
Abdullah’s mandate was clear: restore dignity, identity, and development to a region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which downgraded Jammu and Kashmir from statehood to a UT.
His party’s manifesto, “Dignity, Identity and Development,” promised sweeping reforms, including the restoration of pre-2019 status, youth employment packages, relief from utility crises, and boosts to tourism, agriculture, and social welfare.
One year on, as of October 16, 2025, Abdullah’s tenure has indeed been a trial by fire. The optimism of that oath-taking day has given way to a palpable credibility crisis that threatens its legitimacy and effectiveness.
The statehood conundrum: A barrier to governance
The absence of statehood remains the most significant obstacle to Omar Abdullah’s ability to govern effectively. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has been administered as a Union Territory under the direct oversight of the central government, with the Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha, wielding substantial authority over critical areas such as law and order, finance, and land management.
This framework has severely limited the powers of the elected government, rendering Omar’s administration unable to implement many of the promises outlined in the election manifesto of the National Conference.
The NC’s manifesto, which emphasized job creation, infrastructure development, and social welfare schemes, was a cornerstone of its campaign in the 2024 Assembly elections. However, the lack of statehood has prevented the government from rolling out these initiatives, leading to widespread public disillusionment.
The ongoing tug-of-war between Omar and LG Manoj Sinha has further exacerbated the situation, with the LG’s office reportedly overriding or delaying decisions made by the state government.
This power imbalance has eroded the credibility of Omar’s administration, as voters perceive it as incapable of delivering on its electoral commitments.
The public’s frustration is palpable, with many questioning the utility of an elected government that lacks the authority to govern autonomously.
Omar has consistently advocated for the restoration of statehood, arguing that it is essential for democratic governance and effective administration. However, the central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has provided no clear timeline for restoring statehood, leaving Omar in a precarious position. The prolonged delay has emboldened critics who argue that his government is little more than a symbolic entity, unable to address the pressing needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to the high-voltage campaign launched by the National Conference top brass, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma accused the National Conference (NC) of exploiting the statehood debate to divert public attention from its “tainted legacy of misgovernance, corruption, and civilian oppression.”
Sharma dismissed CM Omar’s renewed pitch for statehood as a “political stunt aimed at reviving a failed narrative.”“Do you want statehood to become a tool to justify the killing of innocent Kashmiris?” he said, holding the NC responsible for some of the most turbulent years in J&K’s political history. Highlighting the NC’s rule between 1982 and 2014, the LoP accused the party of presiding over a period marked by corruption, the use of draconian laws, and widespread human rights violations.
“Let’s not forget that statehood existed during the NC regime, and those were the years when the Public Safety Act (PSA) was weaponized against common people. Pellet guns, crackdowns, and curfews were the norm under Omar Abdullah’s watch,” he said.
Sharma said that schools remained shut for long periods during the NC rule, not because of militancy alone, but because “civilians and not terrorists were the targets of the State’s machinery.”
He said that people of J&K today reject any model of governance that “silences dissent and makes parents afraid to send their children to school.”
Contrasting the NC’s legacy with the BJP-led Centre’s governance model, the LoP lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ushering in what he termed a “new age of peace, trust, and accountability.”
“Under PM Modi, not a single local youth has joined terrorism in years. This is not fear, but faith. People now believe in ballots, not bullets,” he said.
Sharma credited the PM Modi-led government with dismantling terror modules, restoring normalcy, and bridging the trust deficit between the people and the administration.
Refuting allegations of bureaucratic interference raised by CM Omar, he called them “baseless, politically motivated, and misleading.”
“Let me be very clear that in the past year alone, 97 cabinet decisions have been approved by LG Manoj Sinha’s office, including key initiatives like free electricity, employment schemes, and rural development. Yet, ironically, several crucial files remain stuck in CM Omar’s own office,” the LoP said.
He accused CM Omar of “twisting facts and history to build a false narrative” while ignoring the achievements of the current administration, which he said had brought more transparency, fewer security lockdowns, and growing public participation in democratic processes.
Coalition tensions: A fracturing alliance
Politically, Omar Abdullah faces a significant challenge in maintaining the NC-Congress alliance, which was instrumental in forming the government after the 2024 Assembly elections. The coalition, designed to counter the BJP’s influence in the region, is showing signs of strain, particularly over the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat.
The Congress party, a key coalition partner, has demanded representation in the Upper House, but disagreements over the selection of a candidate have escalated into a public war of words. This dispute has widened the rift between the NC and Congress, threatening the stability of the coalition.
Reports indicate that the Congress is contemplating walking out of the alliance, awaiting only the final decision from its high command in New Delhi.
Internal dissent: A rebellion within the NC
Compounding Omar’s challenges is growing dissent within the National Conference. Several senior party leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership style, accusing him of centralizing decision-making and sidelining key figures. This internal rebellion has taken a public turn, with prominent NC leader Aga Syed Ruhullah openly challenging Omar’s authority. Ruhullah’s decision to abstain from campaigning for the NC candidate in the upcoming bypolls for the Budgam Assembly segment is a significant act of defiance that underscores the depth of discontent within the party. Efforts are reportedly underway to placate disgruntled leaders and maintain party unity, but the rebellion poses a serious threat to Omar’s leadership. The NC has historically relied on its cohesive organizational structure to navigate Jammu and Kashmir’s complex political landscape, and any fracture within the party could weaken its electoral prospects and governance capabilities.
Omar’s ability to manage this internal crisis will be a litmus test of his leadership and political acumen.
Security challenges: Neglect by the Centre
On the security front, Omar Abdullah has faced significant hurdles, compounded by what appears to be deliberate neglect by the Union Home Ministry. In the last one year, Omar has never been invited to security review meetings, a move that has marginalized his administration in addressing the region’s volatile security situation. This exclusion is particularly notable in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and ongoing counter-terrorism efforts under Operation Sindoor, both of which have underscored the fragile security environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Home Ministry’s decision to exclude Omar from high-level security discussions has not only undermined his authority but also hindered coordination between the state and Central governments. This lack of collaboration has hampered efforts to address the security challenges effectively, leaving Omar’s administration on the sidelines during a critical period.
The security situation remains a key concern for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who expect their elected government to play a proactive role in ensuring peace and stability. The Central government’s apparent sidelining of Omar has fueled perceptions of a disconnected and ineffective state administration, further eroding public trust.
Credibility crisis and public perception
The cumulative impact of these challenges—administrative constraints, coalition tensions, internal dissent, and security-related neglect—has precipitated a credibility crisis for Omar Abdullah’s government. The credibility of his administration has “hit rock bottom,” a sentiment echoed by public frustration over the government’s inability to deliver on its promises. The inability to implement manifesto schemes, coupled with visible political discord, has led to a perception of inefficiency and disarray.
Public confidence in the government is at an all-time low, with many in Jammu and Kashmir questioning whether Omar’s administration can address their concerns. The lack of tangible progress on key issues such as unemployment, infrastructure, and security has fueled disillusionment, particularly among the youth, who form a significant portion of the electorate. Omar’s leadership, once seen as a beacon of hope for a new generation of governance in the region, is now under scrutiny as he struggles to navigate these multifaceted challenges.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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