Controversial statements and accusations fly as J&K gears up for highly charged electoral battle

Srinagar Sep 9: In the lead-up to elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the political climate has become charged with parties launching verbal attacks against one another.
The war of words has intensified, with several leaders making controversial statements and accusations.

Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference (NC), recently stated the 2013 execution of Afzal Guru, convicted for his involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack. Abdullah criticized the hanging, asserting that it served no useful purpose and arguing that, if it had been up to the Jammu and Kashmir government, the execution would not have taken place. He expressed his opposition to capital punishment and questioned the reliability of court decisions, citing global cases of wrongful executions. His comments drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused him of engaging in appeasement politics and supporting a soft stance on terrorism. The BJP also accused the NC of promoting dialogues with Pakistan.
Similarly, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused jailed MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) of being a proxy for the BJP. She warned voters against being influenced by such parties, questioning how the AIP was managing to field candidates and gather resources while its leader, Engineer Rashid, remains imprisoned.
Her remarks followed an incident where PDP candidate Yawar Shafi Banday was allegedly attacked by AIP workers in Shopian. Mufti called for immediate action, questioning why AIP members responsible for the attack had not been arrested.
PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti also commented on the strained alliance between the NC and Congress, stating it was not based on principles, citing the controversial 1987 elections as evidence.
While the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president, Tariq Hameed Karra, condemned derogatory remarks made by Congress leader Waqar Rasool Wani against the NC leadership. Karra emphasized that the Congress party respected both Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Farooq Abdullah and distanced the party from Wani’s comments, highlighting internal discord.
There also has been a war of words between People’s Conference and NC.