Janata Dal (United) Jammu and Kashmir president GM Shaheen launches political attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, raising concerns over unemployment, poor road infrastructure and the demand for restoration of statehood.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir politics witnessed a fresh war of words after Janata Dal (United) J&K president GM Shaheen questioned the performance of the National Conference-led government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Shaheen alleged that despite high public expectations after the formation of the elected government, several key issues affecting people’s daily lives, including unemployment, infrastructure problems and the restoration of statehood, remain unresolved.
The JD(U) leader said the government needs to focus on delivering visible results on the ground and addressing concerns of ordinary citizens rather than limiting efforts to political announcements.
GM Shaheen criticised the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, claiming that people had expected major improvements in governance after the Omar Abdullah-led government came to power.
He highlighted unemployment among youth, deteriorating road conditions and delays in development-related work as major challenges facing residents across the Union Territory.
According to Shaheen, public expectations were linked with better administration, faster development projects and stronger accountability from the government. He questioned whether the National Conference-led administration had been able to fulfil the promises and expectations that emerged during the election period.
Employment remains one of the biggest concerns in Jammu and Kashmir, with political parties frequently raising questions over job creation, recruitment opportunities and economic growth. Shaheen said unemployment among young people needs urgent attention and demanded stronger measures to create employment opportunities.
He argued that the government should focus on policies that encourage investment, strengthen local businesses and provide better career opportunities for educated youth. The issue of employment has remained a major factor in political discussions in Jammu and Kashmir, where young voters form an important section of the electorate.
Apart from unemployment, Shaheen also raised concerns over road conditions and basic infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. He said poor roads and connectivity issues continue to affect residents and impact economic activities in several areas.
The JD(U) leader called for improved monitoring of development projects and effective implementation of infrastructure schemes to ensure better public services. He said people want improvements that can be seen on the ground and directly impact their daily lives.
Janata Dal (United) Jammu and Kashmir president GM Shaheen has launched a political attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, raising concerns over unemployment, poor road infrastructure and the demand for restoration of statehood. His remarks have triggered a fresh political… pic.twitter.com/IPDE9f7AAP
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Shaheen also intensified the debate over the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, one of the most significant political issues in the region. He alleged that the Omar Abdullah government has not taken strong enough steps to push the demand for restoration of full statehood.
The JD(U) leader said people are seeking concrete action and a clear roadmap instead of symbolic political exercises. The demand for restoration of statehood has remained a major issue among regional political parties since Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into a Union Territory in August 2019.
Responding to questions over the JD(U)’s political position, GM Shaheen highlighted the difference between the party’s role at the Centre and the administration in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the JD(U) is part of the NDA alliance at the national level, while the Jammu and Kashmir government is led by the National Conference.
Shaheen maintained that responsibility for governance, development work and administrative decisions in the Union Territory lies with the elected National Conference-led government. His remarks came amid continuing discussions over Centre-state relations and the political future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, GM Shaheen announced that the JD(U) has begun preparations for the upcoming Urban Local Body and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The party plans to expand its grassroots presence and connect directly with voters over issues such as employment, roads, development and public service delivery.
Shaheen said local elections will provide an opportunity for people to evaluate the performance of political parties and choose representatives who can effectively raise their concerns.
GM Shaheen’s remarks have added a new layer to the political debate in Jammu and Kashmir, where governance, employment, development and statehood restoration continue to dominate public discussions. With local elections approaching, political parties are expected to intensify their campaigns and focus on issues that directly impact voters.
The latest criticism against the Omar Abdullah government indicates that unemployment, infrastructure and statehood are likely to remain major themes in Jammu and Kashmir politics in the coming months.
