A sharp political exchange erupted on Thursday between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister JP Nadda over allegations regarding examination paper leaks in the Union Territory.
The friction began after Nadda cited a past Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) exam leak to accuse the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance of remaining silent on recruitment irregularities under their watch.
The Political Exchange
Addressing a press conference responding to opposition criticism on national exam security, Union Minister JP Nadda targeted the NC-Congress coalition:
“If I talk about the paper leak in the Service Selection Board examination in Jammu and Kashmir… the government is of Congress and NC.” — JP Nadda
Omar Abdullah’s Rebuttal
Taking to social media platform X, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah issued a direct fact-check regarding the political timeline and administration in charge:
High Court Probe & Missing Report
To back his rebuttal, Chief Minister Abdullah shared excerpts from a Jammu and Kashmir High Court order that directed the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to set up a high-level committee headed by a retired High Court judge to investigate irregularities within the JKSSB.
Abdullah pressed the Union Minister to share the outcomes of that inquiry:
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High-Level Probe: The High Court ordered a thorough investigation into the recruitment process after allegations surfaced in 2022.
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Status Query: Abdullah noted that the public has received no updates regarding the committee’s report and asked Nadda to share those details in his next press conference.
Background Context
Following the 2019 abrogation of special constitutional status, Jammu and Kashmir remained under direct Central rule via the Lieutenant Governor’s administration until democratic elections were held.
The NC-Congress coalition took office in October 2024 after winning the Assembly elections, two years after the 2022 JKSSB exam cancellations occurred.
