BJP Attacks Omar Abdullah Govt in Srinagar Rally, Raises 2010 Killings | Kashmir Political Showdown
By: Javid Amin | 21 February 2026
Srinagar Rally Signals BJP’s Valley Push; NC Accused of ‘Doublespeak’
In what party leaders described as a decisive show of strength in the Valley, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mounted a sharp political offensive against the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu & Kashmir National Conference government at a high-profile induction rally in Srinagar.
The rally, marked by aggressive speeches and symbolic messaging, saw BJP leaders accuse the National Conference (NC) of “doublespeak” on governance, youth employment, and Kashmir’s political narrative. The party also revived the emotionally charged issue of the 2010 civilian killings, seeking to place accountability at the doorstep of the Omar Abdullah administration.
Sunil Sharma Leads the Charge
Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, spearheaded the attack.
Alternating between Urdu and Kashmiri to connect directly with the Valley audience, Sharma framed the rally as a platform to “expose the contradictions” of the NC government.
Allegations of Governance Failures
Sharma accused the Omar Abdullah government of:
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Failing to fulfill job promises.
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Falling short on welfare commitments.
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Sending mixed signals on key political issues.
He described the NC’s approach as “doublespeak,” alleging that the party speaks one language in Srinagar and another in Delhi.
The BJP leader positioned his party as a stable alternative focused on development and governance consistency.
Reviving the 2010 Civilian Killings Issue
One of the most politically sensitive moments of the rally came when Sharma invoked the 2010 unrest.
In 2010, widespread protests erupted across the Kashmir Valley, leading to the deaths of over 100 civilians in clashes between protesters and security forces. The unrest marked one of the most turbulent periods in the region’s recent history.
By raising the issue, Sharma sought to frame the NC’s tenure under Omar Abdullah as emblematic of governance breakdown.
For many in Kashmir, the 2010 killings remain a painful chapter. By revisiting it, the BJP aimed to:
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Challenge NC’s moral authority.
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Question its crisis-management record.
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Reposition itself as a party of stability.
Political observers note that revisiting 2010 is a calculated strategy, as memories of that period still influence public sentiment.
Sat Sharma Signals Party Expansion in the Valley
J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma used the rally to project growth momentum.
He welcomed new entrants from:
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The National Conference
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The People’s Democratic Party
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The Congress
Sharma described the steady influx of leaders and grassroots workers as evidence that the BJP’s footprint in Kashmir is expanding.
“People are joining us because they want development and stability,” he asserted, presenting the rally as proof that the BJP is no longer confined to Jammu.
A Carefully Crafted Political Strategy
The Srinagar rally was not merely an induction event — it was a strategic signal.
Objectives Behind the Show of Strength
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Challenge NC’s Valley Dominance
The BJP sought to project itself as a serious contender in a region historically resistant to its politics. -
Consolidate Cross-Party Defections
Inducting leaders from rival parties demonstrates internal churn within Valley politics. -
Reframe Political Narrative
By raising 2010 and governance performance, the BJP attempted to shift focus from identity-driven politics to accountability-driven politics. -
Direct Communication with Kashmiri Audience
Sharma’s use of local languages underscored efforts to localize the BJP’s outreach.
NC’s Likely Counter-Narrative
While the NC has yet to issue a detailed rebuttal following the rally, the party is expected to:
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Reject allegations of doublespeak.
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Highlight its governance record.
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Criticize BJP for politicizing past tragedies.
The NC may also argue that invoking the 2010 unrest is an attempt to polarize rather than reconcile.
Political Landscape: A Valley in Flux
The rally comes amid:
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Rising political contestation post-Assembly elections.
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Intense debate over employment and governance.
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Renewed efforts by national parties to deepen Valley outreach.
For the BJP, expanding influence in Kashmir remains both a symbolic and strategic objective.
Historically, the party’s electoral base has been concentrated in the Jammu region. Public rallies in Srinagar are therefore designed to demonstrate normalization of political activity and broaden appeal.
Why 2010 Still Resonates
The 2010 unrest remains one of the defining political events in recent Valley history.
Beyond the casualty figures, it reshaped:
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Public discourse on governance.
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Youth political engagement.
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Trust in institutions.
Reintroducing that episode into contemporary debate risks reopening old wounds but also underscores its enduring political relevance.
Beyond Rhetoric: The Electoral Subtext
The BJP’s aggressive messaging indicates preparation for sustained political engagement in the Valley.
Key themes likely to dominate upcoming political discourse include:
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Employment generation.
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Governance transparency.
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Law and order management.
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Accountability for past crises.
The rally signals that the BJP intends not merely to participate in Kashmir politics but to reshape it.
Conclusion: A Rally That Signals Escalating Political Contest
The Srinagar induction rally marks a new phase in the BJP’s Valley strategy.
By accusing the Omar Abdullah government of doublespeak and invoking the 2010 civilian killings, the party has escalated political confrontation with the National Conference.
For the NC, the challenge will be to defend its record without allowing the narrative to be defined by past controversies.
For the BJP, the task remains translating rhetorical offensives into durable grassroots support in a politically complex region.
As Kashmir’s political landscape continues to evolve, such high-profile rallies are likely to become defining moments in the contest for influence and legitimacy in the Valley.
