Bandipora, Jan 29: BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul on Thursday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for visiting Gulmarg amid a snowfall crisis in Kashmir.

Speaking at a BJP workers’ convention in Bandipora, Koul said while large parts of the Valley faced blocked roads, power outages, and disruption of essential services, the Chief Minister was reportedly skiing instead of monitoring relief and restoration work. “Leadership demands responsibility and action during crises,” he said.
Koul also faulted previous mainstream political regimes for pushing youth toward violence while ordinary citizens suffered. He highlighted the 2020 killing of BJP leader Waseem Bari and his family as an example of past failures, adding that peace has improved in recent years.
He further criticised legislators from Bandipora, Sonawari, and Gurez for allegedly failing to visit their constituencies during harsh winter conditions. Koul expressed dissatisfaction with the recent budget, claiming it did not provide adequate relief to citizens, and stressed that public leaders must prioritise people’s hardships over personal engagements.