Jammu and KashmirOmar AbdullahNational ConferenceBJPStatehood
Omar Abdullah Rejects BJP Defection Claims, Says 'No Eknath Shinde' in National Conference
Published: May 9, 2026
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has rejected claims by the BJP and opposition leaders of an impending split in the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), stating there will be 'no Eknath Shinde' in his party. His remarks came in response to Sunil Sharma, BJP Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, who alleged internal dissent and predicted the party's collapse upon Cabinet expansion.
Abdullah said JKNC legislators remain united and no MLA would join the BJP, accusing the party of attempting to engineer defections as it did in Maharashtra with former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He dismissed Sharma's comments as reflective of BJP's intent to capture the Chief Minister's chair, adding that the delay in expanding the Cabinet stems from the central government's pending decision on restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister warned that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would hold the BJP accountable for withholding statehood, suggesting the Centre may delay restoration unless the BJP gains power in the region. PDP leader Wahid U Rehman Parra had earlier speculated on potential instability in the ruling party, citing cross-voting during Rajya Sabha elections. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.