No Muslim Representative in Parliament: BJP hits back at Omar Abdullah, accuses him of using Muslims as vote bank

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday hit back at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his remarks on the absence of Muslim representation in Parliament, accusing him and his party of exploiting Muslims as “vote banks” without delivering real empowerment.

Reacting to Omar Abdullah’s comments made in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly—where he alleged that the BJP practises religion-based politics and pointed to the lack of a Muslim MP or minister in the party—BJP’s national spokesperson for J&K, Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia, said the National Conference had no moral ground to talk about representation.

“Omar Abdullah and his family have ruled Jammu and Kashmir for decades through dynastic politics, but what have they done for the Muslim youth of Kashmir apart from giving speeches and empty promises?” Dr Jasrotia said. He accused the Abdullah family of building “personal empires” while leaving the community behind in poverty and unemployment.

Asserting that the BJP believes in inclusive governance, Dr Jasrotia said the party represents all communities equally and does not indulge in tokenism or appeasement. “The BJP works under the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas — for the development and empowerment of all, not just a few families,” he said.

He added that Muslim leaders hold key organisational roles within the BJP in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Jasrotia urged the youth of J&K to “rise above communal and dynastic politics” and join hands with the BJP for a new, progressive and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir. “The time has come to choose development over division and progress over propaganda,” he said.