'Participation Isn’t Optional, But...': Omar Abdullah's Big Claim Ahead of PM Modi's Srinagar Rally

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of ‘pulling out all stops’ to orchestrate a sizable turnout at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Srinagar rally, asserting that the BJP can’t manage anything in J&K without the administration.

Calling the J&K government ‘dictatorial’, Abdullah, in a post on X shared, “Tomorrow the godi media & agencies will be gushing about the “historic crowd” gathered to hear PM Modi in Srinagar. What they will conveniently forget to mention is that almost none of the people there will be attending of their own free will. The dictatorial J&K Govt has pulled out all stops to give the PM a crowd because the BJP can’t manage anything in J&K without the administration.”

The former J&K chief minister said thousands of government employees, both men and women, have been asked to to gather at specific locations between 4:30 AM and 5:30 AM in ‘freezing temperatures’.

“Employees, men & women both, in their 1000s are being asked to assemble between 4:30 AM & 5:30 AM in the freezing temperatures to be bused to the venue. This participation isn’t optional, it’s compulsory,” Abdullah stated.

Abdullah further disclosed that employees who fail to attend have been “threatened with disciplinary action” by their department heads.

“Private schools like DPS Etc have had their buses commandeered to transport all these employees to the venue. I have lists running in to the 1000s with department details, addresses & mobile numbers plus transport details. I’ve redacted a portion of one page out of 140 pages. This is the naya J&K but like I said godi media won’t report this. They prefer “three families”, “new era of development” yada yada,” the National Conference leader added.

Prime Minister Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, marking his first visit since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. During his visit, he will unveil several development projects exceeding Rs 6,400 crore and deliver a speech at a public meeting in Srinagar.