In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for driving the region into economic decline and fostering divisions among the people for its own selfish interests.

According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking at election rallies in the Jammu region, Omar Abdullah stated that prior to August 5, 2019, the rights to the land, forests, rivers, and resources in IIOJK were exclusively held by the local population, and job opportunities were reserved for local youth. He lamented that the BJP has stripped Kashmiris of these fundamental rights.

He pointed out that in various projects – whether road construction, electricity initiatives, tunnel building, or sand extraction from rivers – all laborers and contractors involved are from outside the territory, leaving the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir with nothing. He directly linked this situation to the BJP’s policies.

Omar Abdullah further said that the BJP has opened government job opportunities solely for outsiders, seeking to secure votes by sowing seeds of hatred and instilling fear in the community. Their strategy, he asserted, is to come to power by dividing the local populace.

The NC leader urged the public to reject those who seek to fracture the unity of the people, votes, and mandate of IIOJK.