Srinagar, June 2, 2026 : A proposal for political unity in Jammu and Kashmir sparked a sharp public exchange on Tuesday after PDP President Mehbooba Mufti claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had not been able to accommodate her request for a meeting, prompting a swift rebuttal from the National Conference leader, who accused her of misrepresenting facts for political gain.
The disagreement emerged after Mehbooba Mufti released a letter addressed to the Chief Minister and a broad spectrum of political and civil society leaders, urging them to set aside differences and unite for a collective outreach to the Central Government on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Drawing inspiration from recent developments in Ladakh, where the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have engaged in dialogue with the Centre, Mehbooba argued that a united political platform was necessary to safeguard the constitutional rights, identity, and interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the focus quickly shifted from the proposal itself to a dispute over communication between the two former chief ministers.
In her letter, Mehbooba stated that she had sought an appointment with Omar Abdullah but was unable to secure a meeting due to his busy schedule.
“Therefore, I am taking the liberty of writing to you since time is running out and we cannot afford to delay things any further,” she wrote.
The statement prompted an immediate response from Abdullah, who took to social media platform X to challenge her claim.
“Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba, we spoke on Saturday when you asked to meet. I told you I was in Pahalgam on Sunday and would get in touch on Monday or Tuesday to fix to meet,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister further argued that the wording of the letter created a misleading impression.
“Your letter gives the impression that I’ve kept you waiting for an appointment for weeks on end, which is clearly not the case,” he added.
Abdullah also indicated that he would respond formally to Mehbooba’s proposal after consulting senior leaders of the National Conference (NC) and suggested that his response would likely be made public in a similar manner.
The exchange triggered reactions within political circles, with senior National Conference leaders accusing the PDP chief of attempting to create a political narrative by portraying the situation inaccurately.
Despite the controversy, Mehbooba maintained that Jammu and Kashmir’s political leadership must move beyond partisan divisions and work collectively in the larger interest of the people.
Referring to the post-2019 political landscape, she argued that continued disagreements among regional parties have weakened the region’s collective voice.
“Given the fact that disagreements and squabbling between regional parties have been detrimental to the collective interests of Jammu and Kashmir, a reasonable consensus especially post-2019 is the only solution. If Ladakh could do it, so can we,” she stated.
The former Chief Minister urged Omar Abdullah to convene an all-party meeting and lead a joint initiative aimed at engaging with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.
She emphasized that the proposed platform should not become an exercise in political credit-taking or point-scoring but rather a united effort focused on the welfare and aspirations of the people.
In an effort to build a broad-based consensus, Mehbooba also addressed similar letters to leaders across the political spectrum, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone, MP Engineer Rashid, and Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti President Sanjay Tickoo, among others.
The episode highlights both the continuing debate over political engagement in Jammu and Kashmir and the challenges involved in forging a united political platform amid longstanding rivalries and differing approaches among regional stakeholders.
