Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sounded a sharp warning about the state of the opposition INDIA bloc, saying it is “on life support” and risks being wheeled into the “ICU” if internal divisions and strategic missteps continue. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi, he contrasted the bloc’s performance with the relentless, 24×7 election-machinery of the Bharatiya Janata Party, arguing that only a united and disciplined opposition can hope to present a credible alternative ahead of upcoming polls.
Abdullah pointed to the electoral drubbing suffered by the opposition in the 2025 state elections in Bihar as symptomatic of deeper organisational faults. He recalled being part of a meeting in 2023 that considered appointing Nitish Kumar as convenor of the INDIA bloc — a proposal that ultimately fell through, he said, effectively nudging Kumar back into the BJP-led alliance. “I believe that we pushed Nitish Kumar back into the arms of the NDA,” Abdullah said, describing that event as a turning point in the bloc’s unraveling.
He also criticised the bloc’s failure to present a unified front in Bihar, pointing to the deliberate exclusion of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha from seat-sharing arrangements, even in states where the party had a presence. Such strategic miscalculations, he argued, undermined the bloc’s credibility and electoral viability.
Abdullah contrasted this with the BJP’s approach, describing it as “unparalleled” and relentlessly professional. He said the ruling party treats every election “as if their lives depend on it,” while the opposition often behaves “as if we don’t care.” According to him, the BJP has already moved into new territories for upcoming state elections — long before the opposition has formed coherent alliances.
Given the limited geographical reach of regional parties, Abdullah insisted that only the Indian National Congress — with its nationwide presence — can pull off the “heavy lifting” needed for a serious challenge. He argued that if the opposition is to remain relevant, the Congress must lead from the front.
Beyond structural and organisational criticism, Abdullah raised concerns over how some parties within the bloc engage with specific voter segments, such as the Muslim electorate, only around elections — a tactic he said has backfired by creating disillusionment and opening space for parties like All India Majlis‑e‑Ittehadul Muslimeen, which, he claims, maintain engagement over the full electoral cycle.
Opposition criticism grows over banquet exclusion 