Mehbooba alleges backdoor jobs; Omar calls charge ‘hypocrisy’

Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti recently alleged that the Omar Abdullah-led government had made 25,000 backdoor appointments, accusing it of bypassing due process in public recruitment and demanding transparency over the alleged appointments.

Responding to the charge, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the allegations as “hypocrisy,” accusing the PDP of making the highest number of illegal and backdoor appointments during its tenure.

Speaking to reporters in Zadibal, Abdullah said, “Those who made the highest number of illegal and backdoor appointments are now making these allegations. Should we forget that many of their backdoor appointments were cancelled by the courts?”

He also alleged that individuals linked to Mufti’s family had benefited from irregular recruitment, citing the appointment of Sartaj Madni’s son, which he claimed was later quashed following court directions. Referring to alleged irregularities in Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitments during the PDP-BJP government, Abdullah said many of those cases remain under investigation.

Challenging Mufti to substantiate her claims, Abdullah said his government was prepared to respond with facts. “Name even one person who has received a backdoor appointment under our government, and we will explain,” he said, adding that two senior ministers would soon address the media with details on the issue.

The chief minister also expressed hope that the Ashura procession would soon return to its traditional route. Recalling the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), he said its lessons remain relevant and that his government would continue efforts to fully restore the historic route.