Omar Abdullah’s ‘Life Support’ Remark Deepens INDIA Bloc Discord, BJP Takes A Dig – Delhi News Daily

Last Updated:December 07, 2025, 19:16 IST

In a politically significant remark, Abdullah said he believes that the INDIA bloc “pushed Nitish Kumar back into the arms of the NDA”.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah. (File Photo)

A political slugfest broke out after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is “on life support” and risks being wheeled into the “ICU” due to infighting and failure to match the BJP’s relentless election machine.

His comments have raised a political storm as some allies scoffed at his remarks; some agreed, while the BJP chuckled.

What Omar Abdullah Said?

While speaking at the HT Leadership Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, the National Conference leaders detailed the “organisational and strategic failures” of the opposition bloc, contrasting its approach with the BJP’s “unparalleled” work ethic.

Talking about the INDIA bloc’s current health, particularly in the aftermath of the recent Bihar elections, Abdullah said, “We’re sort of on life support, but every once in a while, somebody brings out his paddles and gives us a bit of a shock, and we get up again. But then, unfortunately, results like Bihar happen, and we slump down again, and then somebody has to wheel us into the ICU.”

He also blamed the INDIA bloc for the return of Nitish Kumar to the BJP-led NDA, saying, “I believe that we pushed Nitish Kumar back into the arms of the NDA.”

He also pointed to the alliance’s failure to take a cohesive view, citing the decision to consciously exclude the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) from the Bihar seat-sharing arrangement despite the party’s presence in the state.

He further compared the INDIA bloc’s electioneering to that of the BJP, and said the opposition alliance is structurally unable to compete with the ruling party’s disciplined approach.

“They have an unparalleled election machine,” he said, noting that this strength goes beyond mere organisation and funding. They also have an incredible work ethic in terms of how they deal with elections… They fight every election as if their lives depend on it. We sometimes fight elections as if we don’t care,” he said.

Political Storm Over Remarks

The remarks have triggered strong reactions, with some INDIA bloc allies targeted him, while some agreed with his stance.

RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha sharply responded to Abdullah’s remarks and said that Abdullah himself is responsible if the bloc is in such a state.

“People comment hastily in adverse circumstances, but one should avoid doing so. Everything is in the hands of the public. If the alliance is on life support, Omar is also a part of the alliance. What are his attempts to revive it? This is not about one political party; it is the responsibility of all members. Responsibility does not end with taunting,” Jha said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed similar sentiments and said that no major meeting of the full alliance has taken place after the Lok Sabha Polls.

Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “Omar Abdullah has always been very straightforward in his politics. He is clear about what he thinks, and he expresses it openly. As for the INDIA alliance, even before the Bihar elections, Uddhav Thackeray had said that a meeting was necessary, but after the Lok Sabha elections, no major meeting of the full alliance has taken place.”

Left parties have also admitted that poor coordination remains a serious concern.

BJP Takes A Dig

The BJP, meanwhile, is having a laugh over the lack of cohesion in the opposition bloc. Party leader Pradeep Bhandari said that this is a slap on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi as key figures within the INDIA bloc are increasingly questioning his leadership.

“This is a slap on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi within the INDI alliance. Whether it is Omar Abdullah or Hemant Soren, all believe that after Rahul Gandhi has lost 95 elections, Congress has become a parasitic party,” he said as quoted by PTI.

He further argued that criticism from within the coalition itself reflects growing dissatisfaction with the Congress’ direction under Gandhi.

“This shows that even leaders within the INDI alliance are now speaking against his leadership. It also proves that the reason for their defeat is not EVMs or any other excuse like SIR, but Rahul Gandhi’s anti-national stance. Be it Hemant Soren or Omar Abdullah, people do not take Rahul Gandhi seriously,” he added.

26 opposition parties formed a coalition ‘INDIA’ (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.

Read More