Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for questioning his integrity over a photo with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden. Abdullah defended the photo, saying it was taken during an unplanned encounter and that he saw no reason to create a scene. He accused the PDP of hypocrisy, pointing out their past alliance with the BJP and their silence on the 2016 bloodshed in the region.
The PDP has been at odds with Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) over various issues, including the Waqf Amendment Bill. Abdullah stated that his party’s stance on the bill would be announced through its spokesperson or senior leadership. The NC and PDP have also exchanged barbs on social media, with the NC labeling PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti a “good girl” for her past praise of the BJP, while the PDP taunted Abdullah as a “good boy” for his perceived attempt to seek approval from the central government.
The tension between the two parties highlights the charged political climate in Jammu and Kashmir, where even developmental projects become battlegrounds for political supremacy. Abdullah’s comments come amid a backdrop of rising tensions and opposition criticism, with the PDP accusing him of taking a U-turn on promises made during last year’s elections.
