"Not having statehood excuse to not work": Mehbooba Mufti slams J-K govt on completion of 1 year
Oct 16, 2025

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 16 : People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government, as it marked one year on Thursday, questioning its performance and drawing comparisons with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's governance model.
Mufti praised the fact that, despite being a Union Territory like J&K, Delhi's governance model under Kejriwal's leadership "worked so well." Alleging that "Delhi LG had a gun pointed at Arvind Kejriwal's head", Mufti questioned why the current J&K administration, led by Omar Abdullah, couldn't make similar initiatives.
"Even Arvind Kejriwal governed a UT. He provided free electricity, free water, improved schools and health services, and legalised illegal colonies. Delhi LG had a gun pointed at Arvind Kejriwal's head, but he still worked so well. His governance in a UT is a model. Why isn't Omar Abdullah providing free gas, power, water, increasing the widow fund and giving employment? Not having statehood is just an excuse to not work," she said.
In a reference to her party's decision to support the government, Mufti revealed that former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had approached her, seeking support for the government.
"Farooq Abdullah called me up and said that the government needed support. I said that there are some bills that we demand be passed in the Assembly," she added.
On Sunday, the PDP chief criticised the BJP government, accusing it of targeting Muslims in India while building relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Mufti alleged that the BJP is targeting Muslims in India and "promoting divisive slogans."
She highlighted the contradiction in India's relations with the Taliban, stating that while the country is assisting in rebuilding Afghanistan, including educational scholarships, Indian Muslims are being deprived of basic rights and opportunities."Under the names of 'Love Jihad', 'Land Jihad', 'Vote Jihad', and 'Cow Jihad', the BJP is targeting its own Muslim population and promoting slogans that defame them."
"Meanwhile, India--which is the mother of democracy--is embracing the Taliban, the father of jihad, under the BJP," Mehbooba Mufti expressed on 'X'.
Mufti also criticised the government's decision to withdraw scholarships for Muslim students while providing opportunities for Afghan students, calling it a double standard.