‘Would Rather Resign’: Omar Abdullah Rules Out Alliance With BJP For J&K Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (PTI file photo)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he would prefer to step down rather than enter into an alliance with the BJP to fast-track restoration of statehood for the Union Territory.

Speaking at an event in Achabal, Anantnag district, Abdullah rejected any political compromise that, in his view, would sacrifice principles for expediency.

“If you want statehood at the cost of bringing the BJP into government, accept my resignation and install any MLA as chief minister — I will not be part of that,” he said.

Abdullah acknowledged that including the BJP might have accelerated the restoration of statehood, but he ruled out such a trade-off.

Recalling past politics, he referred to the 2015 PDP-BJP arrangement and argued that a government could have been formed in Jammu and Kashmir without the BJP’s participation.

“The Congress and the National Conference were willing. Yet the excuse of giving representation to the BJP was made,” he said.

He noted that his administration had ensured regional representation for Jammu and Pir Panjal without bringing the BJP into the fold, pointing out that the deputy chief minister now hails from Jammu despite the BJP’s exclusion.

Abdullah said he would persist in the campaign for statehood, but insisted the struggle would remain peaceful and constitutional.

“How much blood of our youth do you want to see spilled? I will not allow that. We will fight democratically and lawfully; we will not bring destruction to people’s homes,” he said, urging colleagues to show courage in the face of forces he said sought only to sow chaos.

The chief minister also pointed to shifting public sentiment in Ladakh, saying those who initially welcomed the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision have since voiced regret and are now demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.

Acknowledging the difficulties of governance under the current arrangements, Abdullah challenged critics who make running the administration seem easy from the outside.

“Come and sit in my chair for 10 days; if on the 11th day you haven’t pulled your legs, I will concede your point,” he quipped to laughter and applause.

Abdullah concluded on a hopeful note, saying he believed justice would prevail: “There is no despair in God’s court. We will get our rights — the work goes on.”