Farooq Abdullah Criticizes BJP for Failing to Address IIOJK’s Challenges

JKNC President slams BJP for neglecting IIOJK’s pressing civic issues while fueling political rhetoric.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah has sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for focusing on rhetoric rather than addressing the critical civic issues plaguing the Kashmiri people. Speaking at a series of meetings with delegations from Poonch, Katra, Jammu Rural, and Kathua at his residence in Bathindi, Jammu, Abdullah expressed growing concern over the deteriorating infrastructure and lack of effective governance in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Abdullah particularly targeted the BJP-led Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for its failure to manage urban issues, especially during the last monsoon season when the mismanagement of urban services resulted in widespread hardship for the public. He highlighted that the administration’s neglect over the past decade has led to public disillusionment and frustration.

“The BJP has spent more time on political rhetoric than addressing the basic needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Abdullah. “During the last monsoon, the administration’s incompetence caused severe inconvenience, and the public has had enough of this apathy.”

Adding to the criticism, JKNC Additional General Secretary Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, at a public meeting in Bhagwati Nagar, also condemned the BJP for obstructing developmental projects and fostering religious and regional divisions. Sadhotra specifically mentioned the delays in the much-discussed Smart City Project, calling it a failure that has only disillusioned the public.

Other senior JKNC leaders, including Abdul Ghani Malik, joined the criticism, warning of the rising threat posed by divisive forces to the region’s social fabric. They urged the people of IIOJK to remain vigilant against attempts to deepen religious and regional divides.

The JKNC leaders emphasized the need for an inclusive and development-focused approach to ensure peace and stability in the region. With elections around the corner, they called for a shift in priorities from divisive politics to governance that addresses the genuine needs of the people of IIOJK.