A political spat has erupted between National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti over the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange turned bitter after Abdullah suggested resuming work on the decades-old project, citing the Centre’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Abdullah questioned whether the suspension of the IWT opened the door to complete the Tulbul project, which he claimed would improve navigation on the Jhelum River and enhance power generation downstream. However, Mufti criticised the idea as "irresponsible" and "dangerously provocative", warning it could further inflame India-Pakistan tensions and harm the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a sharp rebuttal, Abdullah accused Mufti of being more interested in appeasing certain quarters across the border and scoring “cheap publicity points” than acknowledging that the IWT was a “historic betrayal” of J&K’s interests. He said he would continue to oppose the treaty, calling it a denial of the region’s rights over its own water resources.

The war of words intensified as Mufti alleged historical hypocrisy by referring to NC founder Sheikh Abdullah’s shifting political stance. She defended the PDP’s consistent position and accused the NC of political opportunism.

Responding, Abdullah dismissed the attack as “cheap shots” and vowed to “rise above the gutter” into which the conversation had descended. He affirmed his commitment to advocate for the people’s right to utilise their natural resources.

The debate has highlighted not only longstanding disagreements over water rights and the IWT but also the deeply personal and political rivalries that continue to define J&K’s volatile political landscape.

A political spat has erupted between National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti over the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange turned bitter after Abdullah suggested resuming work on the decades-old project, citing the Centre’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Abdullah questioned whether the suspension of the IWT opened the door to complete the Tulbul project, which he claimed would improve navigation on the Jhelum River and enhance power generation downstream. However, Mufti criticised the idea as "irresponsible" and "dangerously provocative", warning it could further inflame India-Pakistan tensions and harm the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a sharp rebuttal, Abdullah accused Mufti of being more interested in appeasing certain quarters across the border and scoring “cheap publicity points” than acknowledging that the IWT was a “historic betrayal” of J&K’s interests. He said he would continue to oppose the treaty, calling it a denial of the region’s rights over its own water resources.

The war of words intensified as Mufti alleged historical hypocrisy by referring to NC founder Sheikh Abdullah’s shifting political stance. She defended the PDP’s consistent position and accused the NC of political opportunism.

Responding, Abdullah dismissed the attack as “cheap shots” and vowed to “rise above the gutter” into which the conversation had descended. He affirmed his commitment to advocate for the people’s right to utilise their natural resources.

The debate has highlighted not only longstanding disagreements over water rights and the IWT but also the deeply personal and political rivalries that continue to define J&K’s volatile political landscape.