Mufti slams Omar for ‘blame game’, urges Centre to reopen historic routes

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of engaging in “blame politics” instead of addressing the people’s concerns.

“Strange that when people in Budgam ask Omar Abdullah where he was for the past one year, he blames the PDP. When people question him about his poll promises on smart meters, free electricity, or gas cylinders, he again blames the PDP,” Mehbooba said at a press conference in Jammu.

She said people who voted for Omar Abdullah with high hopes were now demanding accountability. “One year on, when Budgam suffered, he was nowhere. Instead of answering on joblessness or unfulfilled promises, he is finding excuses. People want governance, not blame games,” she said.

Continuing her criticism, Mehbooba accused Abdullah of “double standards”, saying, “He had promised to remove smart meters if voted to power, but now he is the one advocating for them.”

Reiterating her long-standing stance on regional connectivity, the PDP chief said Jammu and Kashmir was “locked in a cage” and called for the revival of traditional trade and travel routes that once connected the region with its neighbours.

She urged the Central government to reopen historic routes, including the Suchetgarh route in Jammu and the Kargil–Skardu road in Ladakh, saying these links were essential for restoring confidence and strengthening people-to-people ties. “This is not merely about statehood; it is a larger political issue that requires dialogue and confidence-building measures,” she said.

Asserting that the PDP remains the “real alternative” for the people of J&K, Mehbooba said, “We introduced bills on land rights, fee regulation, and daily wagers even when we had just three MLAs. They fear what PDP can achieve with a stronger mandate.”

Responding to Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s recent remark that “terrorists come from one religion,” Mehbooba hit back, saying: “Ask Giriraj Singh who killed Mahatma Gandhi. Who killed Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi?”