War of Words Erupts Between Incumbent and Former J&K Chief Ministers Over Tulbul Project and Political Allegiances

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir -A War of Words has erupted between former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and current Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the contentious Tulbul Navigation Project and their respective political stances. The online spat has laid bare the deep political divisions in the region amidst sensitive discussions about development and regional security.

The conflict began when Mehbooba Mufti criticized the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project, calling it “deeply unfortunate” and “dangerously provocative,” citing the potential for escalating tensions with Pakistan. Her comments were a direct response to Omar Abdullah, who had shared visuals of the project’s civil work, highlighting its strategic importance.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call to revive the Tulbul Navigation Project amid ongoing tensions between India & Pakistan is deeply unfortunate. At a time when both countries have just stepped back from the brink of a full-fledged war—with Jammu and Kashmir bearing the brunt… https://t.co/LZrVAhIukQ

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 16, 2025

Abdullah retorted sharply, accusing Mufti of “trying to score cheap publicity points” and ignoring the “biggest historic betrayals of the interests of the people of J&K.” He specifically referenced the Indus Water Treaty and suggested Mufti was deliberately overlooking its significance.

Actually what is unfortunate is that with your blind lust to try to score cheap publicity points & please some people sitting across the border, you refuse to acknowledge that the IWT has been one of the biggest historic betrayals of the interests of the people of J&K. I have… https://t.co/j55YwE2r39

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 16, 2025

Mufti, in turn, accused Abdullah of changing his stance for political expediency, recalling his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah’s advocacy for accession to Pakistan and Omar’s own alignment with the BJP for a coalition government. She criticized the National Conference’s (Abdullah’s party) shifting positions, contrasting them with her own party’s (PDP) steadfast commitments.

Time will reveal who seeks to appease whom. However, it’s worth recalling that your esteemed grandfather Sheikh Sahab once advocated for accession to Pakistan for over two decades after losing power. But post being reinstated as Chief Minister he suddenly reversed his stance by… https://t.co/2jSBku731K

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 16, 2025

The heated exchange has brought to the fore the complex political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, where regional development projects are often intertwined with national security concerns and historical political rivalries. The public clash between the two prominent leaders underscores the deep-seated animosity and the challenges in forging a unified political front in the region.

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