Calls divisive demands a political power play; says those who halted Darbar Move can’t claim to be Jammu’s well-wishers
Jammu, Jan 20: Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the unity of Jammu and Kashmir is “non-negotiable,” warning that calls for bifurcation are detrimental to Jammu’s long-term interests. He declared that as long as the National Conference’s plough-bearing flag flies across the region, “no power on earth will dare divide J&K on regional or religious lines.”
Omar was speaking at the concluding session of a two-day Block Presidents’ Convention in Jammu, chaired by Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
Highlighting a series of government initiatives, Omar stressed that the NC-led administration has adopted “pro-people and pro-Jammu” measures, including increased ration quotas, free bus rides for women, enhanced pensions, free land for landslide-affected families, and the restoration of the historic Darbar Move. Investments in tourism, roads, healthcare, education and recruitment, he said, have pushed Jammu back on a path of growth and development.
Targeting the BJP, Omar said that those who halted the Darbar Move or “celebrated the closure of a medical college” cannot claim to be sincere well-wishers of Jammu. He cautioned that such “narrow and divisive politics” has harmed Jammu in the past and would continue to do so if unchecked.
Reiterating opposition to demands for bifurcation, Omar termed the proposal a “personal power play,” particularly aimed at carving out political space rather than addressing public concerns. Referring to Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Omar remarked: “If the ambition is to become Chief Minister, why only of Jammu and not of Jammu and Kashmir? If he is so driven, let him first contest the Jammu municipal elections.”
Omar added that BJP leadership’s political imagination “does not extend beyond Kanak Mandi and Raghunath Bazar,” arguing that the people of Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal will not endorse divisive agendas. Such “wishful and dangerous politics,” he warned, would ultimately damage Jammu’s interests—interests the National Conference is committed to safeguard.
Asserting the NC’s secular legacy, Omar noted that despite being a Muslim-majority region, Jammu and Kashmir had consciously aligned with secular India. “Our people remained steadfast despite propaganda from across the border,” he said, adding that NC has consistently defended the region’s pluralistic ethos.
The convention was attended by senior party functionaries including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma; MPs Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo; AGS Ajay Kumar Sadhotra; Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta; MLAs Ajaz Jan, Sajjad Shaheen, Javid Iqbal Choudhary and Er. Kursheed Ahmad; Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir; and Sardar Harbans Singh, Advisor to the Party President.
Over two days, party leaders deliberated on improving quality of life, strengthening social justice and reaffirming the National Conference’s role in shaping a democratic, peaceful and secure future for Jammu and Kashmir. Senior leaders reiterated that the NC carries a long legacy of sacrifices in defence of democracy, secularism and human rights, and emphasized the need for stronger organizational cohesion and grassroots empowerment.
The convention concluded with a renewed resolve to work for a “democratic, secular and just society” in Jammu and Kashmir. A detailed report of the deliberations will be submitted to Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
