Let Opposition MPs be guided by their conscience on backing NDA in Parliament: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) that Opposition MPs from the DMK and Shiv Sena should be guided by their conscience on whether they back or deny support to the NDA over its pending Bills in Parliament but “our party will not back them”.

Also read | Will remind Centre of Statehood promise at Jantar Mantar: Omar Abdullah

Commenting on reports that the DMK and Shiv Sena were likely to support the NDA on pending legislations like the women’s reservation bill, Mr. Abdullah said, “I cannot predict from a distance what will happen. It is up to the conscience of these MPs how far they want to go. Our party will not support them”.

“We remain committed to our political ideology and will not alter our stand for the sake of power. Every party is free to make its own decisions, but the NC’s position is clear. We are guided by a set of values. Those principles are not for sale,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The J&K Chief Minister said his party is focused on fulfilling commitments made to people and “not securing political advantage through shifting alliances”.

In a separate event in the Valley, National Conference MP Mian Altaf reiterated that the NC plans to hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. “It [protest] will be held at the scheduled time. It is our duty,” said Mr. Altaf.

BJP attacks regional parties

Senior BJP leader and J&K Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said in Srinagar that the bloodshed witnessed in Kashmir over the past 35 years was “due to regional parties”. 

“J&K saw bloodshed, bullets and burning of schools when regional parties functioned under Statehood. They used the Public Safety Act [PSA] and other stringent laws to suppress people. The bloodshed ended after J&K was made a Union Territory and the Ministry of Home Affairs took control of law and order.”

Mr. Sharma referred to Kashmiri Pandits as the “identity of Kashmir”. “The Narendra Modi government has created an environment where displaced Kashmiri Pandits can return and claim their property,” he said.