UCC debate intensifies as Omar Abdullah questions why the BJP is pursuing the issue through states. (Image: Google)
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday dismissed speculation about defections from his party, saying he has complete faith in his legislators and is not concerned about any of them switching sides. Abdullah also defended his government over the duration of the ongoing assembly session and challenged the BJP to introduce the Uniform Civil Code Bill in Parliament if it has the numbers to pass it.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar, Abdullah said there was no reason for him to keep checking the strength of his legislators every day. The Chief Minister made it clear that he was confident his MLAs would remain with the government and rejected concerns about possible political defections. His remarks came amid an ongoing political debate over the stability and functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Abdullah also pushed back against criticism of the seven-day Assembly session, rejecting suggestions that the government was not taking legislative business seriously. He argued that the length of an Assembly session alone should not be used to judge the seriousness of a government. Abdullah pointed towards shorter legislative sessions held by BJP-led governments in some states while responding to criticism from the opposition. CM said members of his government remain present in the assembly throughout working hours and participate in legislative proceedings.
The J&K Chief Minister also questioned criticism from BJP leaders by raising the issue of their attendance and participation in Parliament. Abdullah said his government’s representatives attend the Assembly from the morning until the evening and rejected claims that they were avoiding legislative responsibilities. He also indicated that he would not engage with every political statement made against his government, saying he would choose when and where to respond.
The Chief Minister also stepped up his criticism of the BJP over the Uniform Civil Code, asking the party to bring a UCC Bill before Parliament if it believes it has enough support to pass the legislation. Abdullah questioned why the issue was being pursued through individual states instead of being taken up at the national level. He also pointed to differences within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, arguing that not all allies were necessarily supportive of implementing the UCC.
Abdullah referred to reports about opposition to the UCC within the NDA and suggested that political support for the legislation may not be uniform among the alliance’s partners. His comments add to the wider political debate surrounding UCC, which has remained a contentious issue between the BJP and Opposition parties.
The UCC debate has gained renewed attention as different states consider or implement legislation concerning common personal laws.
The J&K CM also alleged that some individuals who have criticised his government online had previously approached him seeking government employment or accommodation. He suggested that personal interests could be influencing some of the criticism directed at his administration on social media. The remarks come amid heightened political exchanges over governance, Assembly proceedings and the future direction of Jammu and Kashmir politics.
Abdullah’s latest comments underline the growing political contest over the functioning of the J&K government, its legislative record and its relationship with the opposition. By simultaneously rejecting fears of defections and challenging the BJP over the UCC, the Chief Minister has sought to project confidence in his government while putting the opposition on defensive over its legislative and political strategy.
