Political heat rises in J&K as NC, BJP trade barbs over infighting, governance

The political confrontation between the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified sharply on Saturday after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma claimed that the National Conference government was “on a ventilator”, prompting a fierce counterattack from Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

The latest exchange comes amid growing political chatter over alleged infighting within the ruling National Conference, reports of dissatisfaction among legislators and continuing suspense over cabinet expansion in the Omar Abdullah-led government.

Addressing reporters, Sunil Sharma alleged that the NC was battling an “internal disease” and warned that any cabinet expansion would trigger a “vertical split” within the party.

“The National Conference is on a ventilator because of an internal disease. If there is any expansion, the party will split vertically,” Sharma said.

The senior BJP leader linked the recent protests and demonstrations at the NC headquarters, Nawai-e-Subah, to what he described as deepening unrest within the ruling party.

“Whatever happened at the NC headquarters is because of those who have been given the duty to speak against us. That is the reason for that disease,” he said.

Sharma’s remarks came a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted that cabinet expansion had been delayed due to the absence of statehood

Political circles in Srinagar have witnessed intense speculation in recent weeks over differences within the NC, particularly concerning cabinet berths, power-sharing and organisational management. The ruling party had also convened a meeting of its MLAs recently amid reports of growing unease among certain legislators.

Hitting back strongly, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary mocked Sharma’s remarks and accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise an elected government after having “failed” Jammu and Kashmir during its tenure in power.

“I will laugh. Sometimes he (LoP) makes a good joke. He has come from far away. He has come from the journey of Assam. Maybe he could not sleep,” Choudhary said in a sarcastic swipe at the BJP leader.

The deputy chief minister said the BJP was ignoring core governance issues while focusing only on toppling the NC government.

“For 11-12 years, Mr Sunil Sharma, your government and the PDP-BJP government gave unemployment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. You do not talk about those unemployed people,” he said.

Choudhary accused the previous BJP-backed administration of leaving behind a governance crisis, citing unemployment, shortage of staff in hospitals and failures in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

“The Jal Jeevan Mission happened during your time, but people are still not getting water. Hospitals suffered during your tenure. We are trying to cure them. There is a shortage of staff,” he said.

He further alleged that recruitment processes had stalled during the BJP’s tenure, particularly in the education sector.

“Today, you have frozen the posts of teachers. New teachers cannot get jobs. Mr Sunil Sharma does not talk about this,” he added.

In a politically charged response, Choudhary said the NC-led government had come to power through a democratic mandate and could not be destabilised through political manoeuvring.

“It is sad when he has only one goal — that the government has to be overthrown. People have chosen us. We are not nominated, we are not selected, we are elected according to the democracy of India and the Constitution of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar,” he said.

The deputy chief minister also rejected insinuations that NC legislators could be divided or influenced.

“As far as National Conference MLAs are concerned, this is the party of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. These people are associated with principles and vision. They are not so cheap that you can buy them,” Choudhary said.

In a direct rebuttal to Sharma’s “ventilator” remark, Choudhary questioned the BJP’s own political standing in Jammu and Kashmir.

“If our government is on a ventilator, then which ventilator were you on? Please answer the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The sharp war of words reflects the deepening confrontation between the NC and BJP at a time when political temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir remain high over governance issues, cabinet expansion and the continuing debate around restoration of statehood.