The Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) has sharply criticised National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah for his party's ongoing alliance with Shiv Sena, despite the latter’s controversial and divisive statements.
The AIP questioned the political ethics of Omar Abdullah, accusing him of prioritizing power over the core values of unity and secularism, given Shiv Sena’s history of inflammatory rhetoric and communal politics.
In a scathing statement, Sheikh Khursheed, Senior AIP leader and MLA Langate, asked how the NC could justify maintaining ties with a party like Shiv Sena, which has consistently used language aimed at dividing communities and celebrating acts such as the Babri Masjid demolition. He called out the NC leadership, particularly Omar Abdullah, for compromising on the principles of peace and unity in order to sustain political power.
"If Shiv Sena continues to target communities, spread division, and celebrate controversial acts like the Babri Masjid demolition, how are they any different from the BJP?" Khursheed said. "How can Omar Abdullah justify this alliance? Are votes and power more important than the values of unity, respect, and coexistence for all communities?"
Khursheed further pointed to the Samajwadi Party’s recent exit from the coalition, triggered by a controversial statement from a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray regarding the Babri Masjid demolition. He questioned why Omar Abdullah would continue to ally with Shiv Sena, despite the widespread public disapproval of such associations in Jammu and Kashmir. “This reflects the National Conference's insatiable thirst for power, even at the expense of the region's social fabric,” Khursheed added.
Sheikh Khursheed also drew attention to the contradiction in Omar Abdullah’s political stance. "On one hand, Omar presents himself as a sympathizer for the Rohingyas, who have been victimized based on religion, while on the other, he is forging an alliance with those who espouse communal ideologies," he said. "This double standard exposes Omar Abdullah’s true political priorities."
The AIP leader accused the National Conference of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by continuing an alliance with a party known for its divisive politics. He warned that such alliances only fuel communal tensions and threaten to further divide the region.
“The silence of Omar Abdullah on this issue is not just tacit approval but a blatant disregard for the values of peace, brotherhood, and secularism that Jammu and Kashmir has always stood for,” Khursheed stated. He emphasized that Omar Abdullah’s actions undermine the secular fabric of the region, undermining his own claims of advocating for a harmonious society.
The AIP has called on Omar Abdullah to reassess his political choices and put the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir above power politics.
