Omar Abdullah fires back at Mehbooba Mufti over 25,000 backdoor appointments claim
Synopsis
Omar Abdullah didn't just deny Mehbooba Mufti's 25,000 backdoor appointments allegation — he turned it into an offensive, citing court-cancelled PDP-era appointments, alleged irregularities in J&K Bank hiring, and a specific case involving Sartaj Madni's son. A formal ministerial rebuttal is now expected within days, making this a defining accountability moment for the NC government.
Key Takeaways
Omar Abdullah on 26 June rejected Mehbooba Mufti's allegation of 25,000 backdoor appointments by the NC government in J&K.
Abdullah challenged Mufti to name even a single candidate appointed irregularly under his administration.
He cited court-cancelled PDP-era appointments and alleged irregularities in J&K Bank recruitment as counter-evidence.
He specifically referenced the case of Sartaj Madni's son, claiming a backdoor appointment later reversed by court order.
Two senior NC ministers are expected to hold a press briefing within one to two days with documented facts.
Mufti had alleged on Thursday that vacancies were filled through private outsourcing agencies outside established recruitment processes.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday, 26 June sharply rebutted allegations by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti that his government had made 25,000 backdoor appointments in 25 months, calling the charges hypocritical and demanding that Mufti produce a single piece of evidence to support her claims.
What Abdullah Said
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 10th day Muharram procession in the Zadibal area of Srinagar, Abdullah invoked the Hindi idiom 'Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Dante' — roughly meaning the guilty accusing the innocent — to frame his counter-attack. 'Those who made the highest number of illegal and backdoor appointments are now making these allegations. Should we forget that many of their backdoor appointments were cancelled by the courts?' he said.
The Chief Minister went further, alleging that individuals linked to Mufti's own family had benefitted from irregular recruitment. He cited the case of Sartaj Madni's son, who, Abdullah claimed, was appointed through a 'backdoor process' and was subsequently removed following court directions.
J&K Bank and PDP-BJP Era Appointments
Abdullah also pointed to alleged irregularities in Jammu and Kashmir Bank appointments made during the previous administration, many of which he said remain under investigation by probe agencies. 'If I begin counting the backdoor appointments made during the PDP-BJP government, you would not have enough time to hear the entire list,' he added, directly targeting the period when the PDP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governed the erstwhile state in coalition.
Government's Response Plan
Rather than dismissing the controversy, Abdullah signalled a structured rebuttal. He said his government had compiled all relevant information and that two senior ministers would hold a press conference within 'one or two days' to place the facts before the public. 'Name just one candidate who has been given a backdoor appointment under our government, and we will explain,' he said, asserting his administration would not respond to what he called 'baseless allegations'.
What Mehbooba Mufti Alleged
On Thursday, Mufti had alleged that approximately 25,000 government posts were filled during the National Conference (NC) government's 25-month tenure through private outsourcing agencies, bypassing established recruitment norms and without transparency. 'There are about 25,000 backdoor entries in 25 months. I have the orders as well, but I do not want to disclose the identities of those appointed for their protection,' she said.
The escalating exchange sets up a direct political confrontation between the two dominant parties in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, with a formal government rebuttal expected within days.
Point of View
000 irregular hires in 25 months is a serious charge that deserves scrutiny, but her own admission that she is withholding orders 'for the protection' of appointees weakens the allegation's credibility. Abdullah's counter-offensive is tactically shrewd — pivoting to PDP-BJP era irregularities and J&K Bank probes — but it risks looking like deflection if his promised ministerial press conference does not produce hard data. The real accountability question is whether J&K's recruitment institutions have the independence to audit either side's claims.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 25,000 backdoor appointments alleged by Mehbooba Mufti?
Mehbooba Mufti alleged on Thursday that approximately 25,000 government posts in Jammu and Kashmir were filled during the National Conference government's 25-month tenure through private outsourcing agencies, bypassing established recruitment norms. She claimed to possess relevant orders but said she would not disclose the identities of appointees for their protection.
How did Omar Abdullah respond to the backdoor appointments allegations?
Abdullah flatly denied the allegations, calling them hypocritical and challenging Mufti to name even a single irregularly appointed candidate. He cited court-cancelled appointments from the PDP-BJP era and alleged irregularities in J&K Bank hiring as evidence of the PDP's own record on the issue.
Who is Sartaj Madni and why was his son mentioned?
Sartaj Madni is a political figure whose son, according to Abdullah, was appointed through a backdoor process during a previous administration and was later removed following court directions. Abdullah cited this case to argue that the PDP's own associates benefitted from irregular recruitment.
What action has the NC government announced in response?
Chief Minister Abdullah said two senior ministers would address the press within one to two days and place documented facts before the public. He said the government has compiled all relevant information on the appointments issue.
What is the political significance of this dispute?
The row is a direct confrontation between the two largest parties in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly — the ruling National Conference and the opposition PDP. It raises questions about recruitment transparency in J&K and is likely to intensify ahead of any formal probe or legislative scrutiny.
