Omar Abdullah’s Dachigam off-site meeting draws opposition fire, BJP calls it a ‘picnic’

As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took National Conference (NC) MLAs, ministers, and MPs to Dachigam National Park for a day-long off-site review and strategy meeting, opposition parties seized the opportunity to target the ruling party, describing the exercise as a “picnic” at a time when people are grappling with pressing civic issues.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma termed the move an “eyewash” aimed at misleading the people.

“At a time when residents of Jammu and Kashmir are facing shortages of basic necessities such as drinking water and electricity, it is unfortunate that the Chief Minister, along with his ministers and MLAs, is enjoying a picnic at Dachigam,” Sharma said.

He further remarked, “This is not a meeting but a floor test being conducted outside the Legislative Assembly.”

Meanwhile, People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone also criticised the Chief Minister for holding a review meeting of his 19-month-old government at the national park.

In a post on X, Lone termed the decision unusual and alleged that the Chief Minister appeared to be a “tourist to the core”, referring to the choice of venue.

“So this is the bombshell threatened by CM Sahib. Tourist to the core. A trip to the scenic and beautiful Dachigam,” Lone wrote.

He further remarked: “Dachigam is actually symbolic of today’s congregation. It is secluded, isolated, and entry is restricted. That actually sums up the state of the present government.”

Drawing a parallel between the venue and the functioning of the administration, Lone alleged that the government had become “aloof and isolated” from the people.

In another sarcastic remark, he suggested that legislators had been taken to the wildlife reserve only to be told to either “fall in line” or face consequences.

Omar Takes Legislators to Dachigam

The National Conference legislature party meeting took an unusual turn on Wednesday when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led party ministers, MLAs, and MPs to Dachigam National Park for a day-long off-site review and strategy session.

All NC ministers and legislators had been instructed to assemble at the chief minister’s residence at 10 am before being transported to Dachigam, where elaborate security, logistical, and hospitality arrangements had been made in advance.

The development came amid speculation in political circles that the venue of the meeting had been changed at the last minute. However, Omar Abdullah dismissed such reports, asserting that the off-site gathering had been planned well in advance.

In a series of posts on X, the Chief Minister wrote: “We are off for an off-site to spend the day taking stock of the last 19 months — the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.”

In another post, he added, “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. “It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site, and all arrangements had been made days in advance at the location originally chosen by me.”

Earlier in the day, NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri added to the suspense by posting a photograph on X showing Omar Abdullah and fellow legislators travelling together.

Accompanying the image, Veeri wrote: “Crossed Shalimar for an unknown destination!”

Sources said the off-site meeting was aimed at reviewing the performance of the government over the past 19 months and discussing future governance and political priorities.

The unusual venue for the meeting has generated considerable political interest, particularly amid recent criticism from opposition parties and speculation surrounding the NC leadership’s strategy ahead of upcoming political developments.