Agencies | Srinagar:
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), alleging that the party is grappling with a deep internal crisis and warning that any cabinet expansion could trigger a major split within the organisation.
Addressing reporters, Sharma claimed that the National Conference was “on a ventilator” due to what he described as an internal “disease” that had weakened the party from within.
“The National Conference is suffering from an internal disease. If they go ahead with even a small expansion, there will be a vertical split in the party,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader alleged that a few individuals within the NC, who have been tasked with targeting the BJP politically, were responsible for worsening the internal discord.
“Whatever happened recently at the NC headquarters, Nawai-e-Subah, is because of those people who have been given the responsibility to speak against us. That is the reason behind the growing crisis within the party,” he said.
Referring to the recent protests and political tensions within the NC camp, Sharma claimed that the situation had deteriorated to a point where reconciliation would be difficult.
“The disease has spread so deeply that there is no cure left. If they attempt cabinet expansion, the party will split into two factions. The National Conference will collapse like a falling structure,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels with the split in the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Sharma said internal contradictions had already weakened the party’s foundation.
“Two Shiv Senas were created because of internal issues. Similarly, the National Conference has created its own crisis. No matter how much they try to hide it, the cracks are visible,” he said.
However, Sharma clarified that the BJP had no role in the alleged internal issues of the National Conference.
“We neither believe in such politics nor are we involved in it,” he added.
The remarks come amid increasing political speculation over a possible cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir and reports of discontent among certain sections within the ruling alliance. The National Conference, however, has repeatedly dismissed claims of internal dissent and maintained that the party remains united under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party president Farooq Abdullah.
