The Betrayal of Jammu & Kashmir
Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia
In October 2024, Omar Abdullah, the scion of the National Conference (NC) dynasty, assumed the mantle of Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, riding a wave of lofty promises and renewed hope. His election as an MLA in the 2024 Assembly elections, followed by his swearing-in on October 16, 2024, by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, was celebrated by many as a new dawn for a region long plagued by unrest and unfulfilled aspirations. Yet, nearly a year into his tenure, the Omar Abdullah-led government stands accused of betraying the very people it swore to serve. From unfulfilled campaign promises to allegations of blatant regional discrimination, the NC government has left a trail of disillusionment, anger, and broken trust. This is not just a failure of governance-it is a deliberate betrayal of Jammu & Kashmir’s aspirations.
A Campaign Built on Grand Promises
Omar Abdullah’s 2024 election campaign was a masterclass in populist rhetoric. He positioned himself as a leader who understood the pulse of J&K’s diverse populace, promising transformative change across sectors. His commitments were ambitious, touching on every pain point of the region’s citizens. He pledged to resolve chronic electricity and drinking water shortages, offering 200 units of free electricity to households. Social welfare measures included Rs 5,000 monthly stipends for poor women and 12 free LPG cylinders annually per family. He vowed a robust crackdown on the drug menace, a comprehensive program to uplift agriculture and horticulture, and a medical trust providing Rs 5,00,000 in free insurance for terminal illnesses like cancer and heart disease.
Urban decongestion in Srinagar and Jammu, free education for females up to university level and males up to college level, and the passage of a J&K Youth Employment Generation Act within three months were among his other headline promises. Tourism and industry were to receive a boost through new destinations in Pir Panjal and Chenab, alongside industrial parks and Special Economic Zones. Even the responsible mining of J&K’s newly discovered lithium reserves was on the agenda, with assurances of enforcing royalties as per Supreme Court directives.
These promises resonated deeply with a population weary of broken pledges and systemic neglect. Yet, as October 2025 dawns, the people of J&K find themselves grappling with the harsh reality: not a single major promise has been fulfilled. The NC-led government, far from delivering progress, is being described by critics and disillusioned supporters alike as a “failure on every front”-a regime that exists only on paper.
The Reality: A Litany of Failures
The electricity crisis in J&K remains as dire as ever. Power outages are routine, with rural areas and even parts of Srinagar and Jammu facing hours-long blackouts daily. A post on X from a Srinagar resident captures the frustration: “@OmarAbdullah promised 200 units of free electricity, but we’re lucky to get 200 minutes of power a day! #JKBetrayed” (@JKVoice2025, September 15, 2025). The promised drinking water reforms have similarly stalled, with many villages still dependent on contaminated sources or irregular tanker supplies.
Social welfare schemes have fared no better. The Rs 5,000 monthly stipend for poor women remains a distant dream, with no budgetary allocation or implementation framework in sight. The pledge for 12 free LPG cylinders has been quietly shelved, leaving families struggling with rising fuel costs. The war on drugs, a critical issue in a region grappling with rising addiction rates, has seen no meaningful action. A recent X post by a youth activist in Kashmir reads: “Drug menace is destroying our youth, but where is the ‘strong crackdown’ @OmarAbdullah promised? Empty words, empty promises. #SaveKashmir” (@Youth4JK, August 22, 2025).
Healthcare, another cornerstone of Abdullah’s campaign, is in shambles. The promised medical trust for terminal diseases has not materialized, leaving patients to fend for themselves in underfunded hospitals. Agriculture and horticulture, vital to J&K’s economy, have seen no comprehensive support programs, with farmers still battling outdated infrastructure and lack of market access. The urban decongestion plan for Srinagar and Jammu has been reduced to mere rhetoric, with traffic snarls and unplanned urban sprawl worsening by the day.
Perhaps most galling is the failure to deliver on youth employment. The promised J&K Youth Employment Generation Act, slated for passage within three months of the government’s formation, remains a non-starter. Unemployment rates in J&K, particularly among educated youth, continue to soar. A frustrated graduate from Jammu posted on X: “No jobs, no opportunities, no Youth Employment Act. Omar Abdullah’s promises were just election drama. #JKBetrayed” (@JammuYouth, September 10, 2025).
Regional Discrimination: Jammu’s Punishment
If the failure to deliver on promises has angered the entire Union Territory, the NC-led government’s alleged regional bias has deepened the divide between Jammu and Kashmir. Critics argue that the Abdullah government has deliberately stalled development projects in the Jammu division as an act of political vendetta against voters who overwhelmingly rejected the NC-Congress alliance in the 2024 elections. This perception was fueled by inflammatory statements from NC leaders post-election, with some openly declaring that “Jammu will be punished” for its electoral choices.
The appointment of Surinder Kumar Choudhary, a Jammu native, as Deputy Chief Minister was initially seen as a gesture of inclusivity. However, it has since been criticized as a token move designed to mask the government’s neglect of Jammu. Development projects in the region, including road infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and industrial initiatives, have either been delayed or scrapped entirely. For instance, the much-touted Jammu-Akhnoor road widening project, critical for easing traffic and boosting connectivity, remains mired in bureaucratic delays. Similarly, plans for industrial parks in Jammu have seen no progress, stifling economic growth in a region desperate for investment.
A Jammu-based activist vented on X: “Omar Abdullah’s government is starving Jammu of funds and projects. This is not governance-it’s revenge for our votes. #JusticeForJammu” (@JammuRising, September 5, 2025). The sentiment is echoed across the region, where residents feel marginalized and betrayed by a government they accuse of favoring Kashmir-centric policies.
A Government of Arrogance and Apathy
The Omar Abdullah-led government’s failure is not merely one of incompetence but of intent. The NC’s political arrogance, critics argue, is evident in its refusal to acknowledge or address these failures. Instead of engaging with disillusioned citizens, the government has doubled down on its narrative, dismissing critics as “anti-J&K” or “politically motivated.” This has only deepened the sense of betrayal among even former NC supporters, many of whom celebrated Abdullah’s victory but now feel cheated.
The contrast between Abdullah’s campaign rhetoric and his government’s performance could not be starker. His promises of progress, equality, and good governance have given way to stagnation, discrimination, and apathy. The exploration of new tourist destinations, the responsible mining of lithium reserves, and the establishment of a Minority Commission-all flagship promises-have seen no tangible progress. Even the strengthening of the Public Distribution System (PDS), a basic governance deliverable, remains a work in progress, with ration cardholders facing delays and shortages.
A Call for Accountability
The people of Jammu & Kashmir deserved better. They placed their trust in Omar Abdullah, hoping for a government that would bridge divides, deliver on promises, and usher in an era of prosperity. Instead, they have been handed a regime of broken commitments and political vendetta. The NC-led government’s failure to deliver on its promises is not just a betrayal of trust-it is a betrayal of J&K’s future.
As the Union Territory approaches the first anniversary of Abdullah’s tenure, the chorus of discontent grows louder. From the streets of Srinagar to the towns of Jammu, citizens are demanding accountability. The government must move beyond empty rhetoric and take concrete steps to address the region’s pressing needs-be it power, water, jobs, or equitable development. Until then, the Omar Abdullah-led government will remain a symbol of broken promises and lost hope, a cautionary tale of what happens when leaders prioritize power over people.
(The author is Spokesperson BJP)
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