NDA leaders slam Farooq Abdullah over Kashmir, Pakistan remarks
Synopsis
Farooq Abdullah's suggestion that Pakistan's international advocacy could shape Kashmir's future has triggered a coordinated NDA broadside, with three senior ruling-alliance leaders accusing the National Conference chief of running politics that 'will no longer be acceptable' — a signal that the BJP intends to keep the post-Article 370 settlement as a live electoral fault line.
Key Takeaways
NDA leaders on 25 October 2026 collectively criticised National Conference president Farooq Abdullah over his remarks at a party convention in Baramulla .
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said Abdullah's brand of politics — which he characterised as 'shaking hands with Pakistan' — 'will no longer be acceptable.' UP Minister OP Rajbhar cited the abrogation of Article 370 and large-scale curbs on terrorism as proof of the Modi government's track record in Kashmir.
BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh questioned Abdullah's 'love for Pakistan' while asserting that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 'was an integral part of India and will remain so.' Abdullah had on Saturday questioned the Centre's silence on Kashmir and said Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the issue could be crucial for the region's future.
Several National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Sunday, 25 October 2026, sharply criticised National Conference president Farooq Abdullah over his recent remarks on Jammu and Kashmir, with ruling alliance leaders invoking the abrogation of Article 370, the Centre's counter-terrorism record, and India's firm stance on Pakistan.
The pushback came a day after Abdullah, speaking at a party convention in Baramulla in north Kashmir, questioned New Delhi's 'intentions' and suggested that Pakistan's efforts to keep the Kashmir issue alive internationally could be consequential for the region's future.
West Bengal Minister Leads the Attack
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir had transformed fundamentally since the Centre took charge of the region's integration. 'There are no terrorists left in Jammu and Kashmir. It has become free of terrorism. The people do not want terrorism. Development is taking place there, and the Central government is working to develop the region by integrating it with the rest of the country. The people there are also happy,' Ghosh said.
Ghosh went further, directly targeting Abdullah's posture toward Pakistan. 'He shakes hands with Pakistan. This is how Farooq Abdullah's politics has run till now. It will no longer be acceptable. Only the BJP can deliver progress and what the people want,' he added.
UP Minister Cites Article 370 Abrogation
Uttar Pradesh Minister OP Rajbhar also weighed in, arguing that Abdullah appeared unfamiliar with the scale of the Narendra Modi government's counter-terrorism measures. 'Farooq Abdullah probably doesn't know that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, large-scale curbs have been placed on terrorist activities in the country. In the case of Kashmir, you saw that Article 370 was abrogated. The violence and bloodshed that used to happen there have also been largely brought to a halt,' Rajbhar said.
Rajbhar also pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic messaging abroad as evidence of India's peace-oriented outlook, noting that Modi consistently invokes India's civilisational heritage and commitment to non-aggression on the world stage.
BJP's Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Questions Abdullah's Pakistan 'Affection'
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acknowledged Abdullah as a 'senior leader' but questioned what he described as a recurring tilt toward Pakistan. 'Abdullah Sahib is a senior leader, but sometimes his love for Pakistan becomes apparent. India is not dependent on anyone's mercy. India is a strong country and a Sanatan nation. Our existence did not begin just 100 or 150 years ago. As far as Jammu and Kashmir or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is concerned, it was an integral part of India and will remain so,' Singh said.
What Abdullah Said — and Why It Triggered a Response
The remarks that drew NDA fire were made on Saturday at a National Conference convention in Baramulla. Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, questioned the Centre's silence on the Kashmir issue and reportedly argued that Pakistan's international advocacy on Kashmir could play a role in shaping the region's trajectory. Critics argue the remarks handed the BJP a political opening to frame the National Conference as soft on Pakistan ahead of future electoral cycles. Notably, this is not the first time Abdullah's remarks on Pakistan or Kashmir's international dimension have drawn a coordinated NDA response — a pattern that has intensified since the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370.
Broader Political Context
The exchange reflects the deepening fault lines in Jammu and Kashmir's post-Article 370 politics. The National Conference, which won the 2024 assembly elections, has at times been at odds with the Centre over the pace of restoring full statehood to the region. For the BJP and its allies, any comment that can be framed as questioning the post-370 settlement is treated as a political vulnerability to be countered immediately. How Abdullah responds — and whether the National Conference moves to clarify its position — will be closely watched in New Delhi and Srinagar alike.
Point of View
The BJP has shown it will respond loudly and in numbers — a pattern designed to associate the NC with pro-Pakistan optics before any future election. What gets lost in this cycle is a substantive debate about statehood restoration, security conditions on the ground, and whether Kashmiris are genuinely satisfied or simply quieter. The BJP's electoral dominance in the post-370 framing is real, but silencing inconvenient questions is not the same as answering them.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Farooq Abdullah say about Kashmir that drew criticism?
Farooq Abdullah, speaking at a National Conference convention in Baramulla on Saturday, questioned the Centre's silence on the Kashmir issue and suggested that Pakistan's efforts to keep the issue alive internationally could be significant for the region's future. He also questioned New Delhi's 'intentions' regarding Kashmir.
Which NDA leaders responded to Farooq Abdullah's remarks?
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, Uttar Pradesh Minister OP Rajbhar, and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh all criticised Abdullah on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Each invoked the abrogation of Article 370, the Centre's counter-terrorism record, and India's firm stand on Pakistan.
What is the significance of the Article 370 abrogation in this context?
Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated in August 2019 by the Modi government. NDA leaders cited it as a landmark achievement that ended separatism and reduced violence — a benchmark they argue Abdullah's remarks undermine.
Why does the BJP frame Farooq Abdullah's remarks as pro-Pakistan?
The BJP has consistently positioned any statement that acknowledges Pakistan's role in the Kashmir issue or questions the Centre's approach as evidence of sympathy toward Islamabad. This framing has intensified since 2019 and is used to challenge the National Conference's nationalist credentials.
What happens next in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape?
With the National Conference leading the Jammu and Kashmir government after the 2024 assembly elections, the tension between Srinagar and New Delhi over statehood restoration, security policy, and political discourse is likely to continue. How Abdullah clarifies — or doubles down on — his remarks will set the tone for the BJP-NC dynamic in the months ahead.
