Opposition Criticizes J&K Budget 2025-26, Calls It a Betrayal of Promises
Srinagar 07 March 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26, presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. While the National Conference (NC) hailed the budget as a step toward economic growth and social equity, opposition leaders have labeled it a “betrayal” of the promises made during the election campaign. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Peoples’ Conference, and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have all voiced their discontent, accusing the NC-led government of failing to deliver on its commitments.
PDP: “Broken Promises and Election Gimmicks”
The PDP accused the NC of failing to fulfill its election promises, particularly the assurance of 200 units of free electricity for every household. The budget limits this benefit to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, which the PDP claims excludes the majority of the population.
- Statement from PDP: “This Budget clearly exposes the massive gap between the promises made in the National Conference’s election manifesto and the reality of their governance. The promise of 200 units of free electricity for every household was nothing more than an election gimmick,” the party said.
The PDP emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve honest governance and accused the NC of creating false hopes among the electorate.
Sajad Lone: “A Disappointment and a Love Letter to BJP”
Peoples’ Conference chief Sajad Lone criticized the budget as a “disappointment,” accusing the NC of parroting Centrally-sponsored schemes without addressing the unique needs of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Sajad Lone’s Remarks: “The Budget speech was, as expected, a disappointment—just the same old parroting of Centrally-sponsored schemes with Hindi nomenclature. It glorified and endorsed the BJP’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ discourse. Statistics that the NC has criticized for the past decade have now become the gospel truth.”
Lone further described the budget as “love letter to BJP—Part II,” following his earlier criticism of the Lieutenant Governor’s address.
AIP: “A Complete U-Turn on Election Promises”
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, also condemned the budget. The party accused the NC of making a “complete U-turn” on its election promises.
- AIP’s Criticism: “NC promised 200 units of free electricity for all households. But now, they have limited it to AAY beneficiaries, that too with the unrealistic condition of installing solar panels. This is nothing but a cruel joke on economically weaker sections,” said AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi.
BJP: “A Betrayal of People’s Trust”
The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit labeled the budget a “betrayal” and criticized the NC for failing to deliver on key promises, including free gas cylinders, job guarantees, and free ration.
- BJP’s Statement: “Where are the 12 free gas cylinders that Omar Abdullah promised? Where is the one lakh job guarantee? Where is the free ration? This budget is a cruel joke on the people of J&K,” said BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur.
The BJP accused Omar Abdullah of making grand announcements to gain power but failing to deliver on every front.
Congress: “A Positive Step Forward”
In contrast to the opposition’s criticism, the NC’s alliance partner, Congress, expressed satisfaction with the budget. The party praised the budget for addressing social sectors and promoting economic growth.
- Congress’s Viewpoint: “The Budget appears to be in favor of the people. It has a lot of positivity, and almost all social sectors have been addressed,” said J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra.
Key Points of Contention:
- 200 Units of Free Electricity:
- Promised for all households but limited to AAY families.
- Opposition claims this excludes the majority of the population.
- Unfulfilled Promises:
- Free gas cylinders, one lakh job guarantee, and free ration were not addressed in the budget.
- Alignment with BJP Policies:
- Opposition leaders accused the NC of endorsing BJP’s “Naya Kashmir” narrative.
- Focus on Centrally-Sponsored Schemes:
- Critics argue that the budget lacks originality and fails to address region-specific issues.
Conclusion: The J&K Budget 2025-26 has sparked a heated political debate, with opposition parties accusing the NC-led government of failing to fulfill its election promises. While the Congress has praised the budget for its focus on social sectors, the PDP, BJP, Peoples’ Conference, and AIP have labeled it a betrayal of public trust. As the political discourse unfolds, the budget’s impact on the ground will ultimately determine its success or failure.
