Overview
- At a Budgam rally for BJP candidate Syed Mohsin, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma alleged Omar Abdullah pursued post-2014 overtures to the BJP and challenged him to deny any hidden agreements with the Centre.
- Omar Abdullah responded on X by swearing on the Quran that he did not seek a BJP alliance in 2024 for statehood or any other purpose.
- Sharma maintained that BJP leadership refused any approach and accused the National Conference of double standards intended to block the party’s rise in Kashmir.
- The clash builds on Abdullah’s recent dispute with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha over governance, with the chief minister citing Centre-created hurdles and pointing to security-linked economic strain after incidents like the Pahalgam attack.
- Statehood remains a defining issue for J&K politics, with the Supreme Court urging restoration and an NC-led government in place following the 2024 assembly elections.