Mehbooba, Omar spar over call for political unity in J-K

Business To Business, Srinagar, 2^nd June, 2026:  A call for greater political unity in Jammu and Kashmir quickly turned into a public disagreement on Tuesday between Mehbooba Mufti and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Mehbooba's appeal for unity
In a letter shared on social media, Mehbooba urged political parties across Jammu and Kashmir—including rivals and leaders from different ideological backgrounds—to work together on issues concerning the region's identity and constitutional interests.
She cited developments in Ladakh as an example of how political actors can come together on matters of common concern despite political differences.
The appeal was addressed to leaders across the political spectrum, including representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dispute over meeting requests
The discussion soon shifted from the substance of the letter to a dispute over political interactions.
Mehbooba claimed that her requests for a meeting with Omar Abdullah had not been accommodated. The assertion suggested a lack of engagement between the region's major political leaders despite calls for broader cooperation.
Omar Abdullah's response
Abdullah rejected the allegation, stating that he had not ignored any such requests. He accused Mehbooba of presenting the situation inaccurately and using the issue for political purposes.
The chief minister's response transformed what began as a call for unity into a public exchange over political conduct and communication.
Political context
The episode highlights the continuing rivalry between:

• People's Democratic Party (PDP)
• Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC)