Mushtaq Bala
At a time when internal dissent and external criticism grow louder, Jammu and Kashmir needs composure, continuity, and leadership — not disruption.
The Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir today faces an orchestrated wave of criticism — some from within his own party ranks and others from alliance partners seeking political leverage. Yet, amid all this noise, one must pause and ask: is this the time to weaken a government that represents the largest and most enduring political force in Jammu and Kashmir?
Some senior National Conference leaders, including Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah, have openly questioned the government’s pace and priorities. Ironically, both owe their political relevance to the same National Conference, led and nurtured by Omar Abdullah. Disagreement in a democratic setup is natural — even healthy — but when internal criticism is used as ammunition by adversaries, it risks damaging not just an individual leader but the entire democratic fabric of the state.
Omar Abdullah has, time and again, displayed restraint, political maturity, and a sense of accountability rare in today’s political climate. His recent remarks have been misinterpreted by some — he merely articulated political realism, not resignation. It showed a leader’s ability to differentiate between rhetoric and reality, and his courage to speak the truth to his people without playing to the gallery.
Talk of resignation or rebellion within the party serves no constructive purpose. If anything, such moves would only derail governance and open the gates to uncertainty. What good would it serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir if Omar Abdullah were to step down today? In these difficult and transitional times, no immediate alternative promises stability, moderation, or a clear direction forward.
Omar Abdullah continues to carry the mandate of the state’s oldest and political institution — the National Conference. His government represents continuity, experience, and moderation — qualities that Jammu and Kashmir desperately need as it navigates through complex political and developmental challenges.
Those who are turning against him now are either uninformed about the larger designs at play or are being swayed by forces that thrive on political instability. The plans behind the plans must be seen for what they are — attempts to weaken the only leadership that has the depth, experience, and credibility to safeguard J&K’s interests within the framework of democracy.
At this critical juncture, the call must be for unity, not division. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must stand behind Omar Abdullah and his government — not merely out of political loyalty, but out of a collective commitment to stability, progress, and a steady hand in uncertain times.
Mushtaq Bala is Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Pen, an award-winning filmmaker, cultural comme tator, and advocate for peace through narrative media.
