Facing rare dissent from within, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has come under fire from two National Conference (NC) MPs, Aga Ruhullah and Mian Altaf, whose public criticism has exposed deepening divisions in the ruling party and triggered a storm in J&K’s political circles.
The open defiance by both Lok Sabha MPs has torn through the party’s image of unity, leaving Omar to confront perhaps the toughest political test of his tenure.
Ruhullah and Altaf are NC’s only two Lok Sabha MPs who won the Srinagar and Anantnag seats, respectively. They are respected by the people because of their clean image in politics.
Speaking at a conclave in Srinagar, both MPs said that false pre-poll promises should not have been made.
Ruhullah accused the NC of a “betrayal of public trust” and a “betrayal of the people’s mandate”, warning that such actions could push citizens to seek political alternatives.
Ruhullah said that he will not campaign for the NC candidate in the upcoming bypoll for the Budgam seat as the Omar government has not taken steps towards fulfilling its election promises.
He claimed that the people of J&K had given a “strong and clear mandate” to the NC with the hope that the party would represent them powerfully and end confusion. “Unfortunately, it has been a year since that mandate was given, and the party has failed to act according to that sentiment,” he said.
“If the party was not ready to come up to the expectations of the people, then why did it make promises during the election campaign?” he asked. “Even with such a strong mandate, the party appears weak. The people of Jammu and Kashmir did not make you dependent on others. After the Assembly elections, there was no need to form new alliances. Yet, the same mistakes made before the elections are being repeated.”
Referring to the change in the stance of the government on the controversial digital electricity meters, Ruhullah said that such a promise of removing these meters should not have been made during the elections when you knew you would not be in a position to do so.
Without naming Omar Abdullah, he said It is incorrect to show arrogance to the people on this sensitive issue. He criticised Omar’s statement that when his close relatives have digital electricity meters installed at their homes, then what was the problem of the people against these meters?
”What language should the CM have used against the BJP, he is using against the people who voted the NC to power?”
Altaf also questioned the NC government for not meeting its commitment to remove the digital meters.
Ruhullah said that the recent controversy over alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections has raised serious questions about transparency. He urged Omar Abdullah to reveal the names of those involved in cross-voting.