A political controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over Peoples Democratic Party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s visit to the AIIMS Awantipora project site, triggering sharp reactions from the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Conference.
The row began after Mehbooba Mufti visited the AIIMS Awantipora site on Friday, describing the institution as a dream project envisioned by late former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 2015. She said the project had the potential to emerge as one of the leading healthcare and research institutions in Jammu and Kashmir and urged union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to expedite its completion.
A day later, Mehbooba said she had spoken to Nadda and requested him to ensure that the work on the institute was completed without further delay. She said the union minister had assured her that the project would be completed on time.
“Given how healthcare is crumbling across J&K it’s imperative AIIMS Awantipora is operational soon. Will provide much needed relief & quality medical services,” she wrote on X.
However, the visit and subsequent political messaging drew strong criticism from senior NC leaders and minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government.
J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo accused the PDP leadership of suffering from “political amnesia” and questioned the authority under which former rulers were conducting reviews of the AIIMS project.
“The elected government today is led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Yet, one wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project,” she said in a post on X.
Itoo alleged that the AIIMS project had witnessed delays during the PDP’s tenure and claimed that the present government was ensuring its timely completion through regular monitoring and focused efforts.
Questioning the authority under which Mehbooba reviewed the AIIMS Awantipora project, NC leader Ifra Jan said the institution was a Central Government project and such a briefing could not have taken place without the approval of the Centre.
“In what capacity? Unless the BJP organised this briefing for its ally, since AIIMS is a Central Government project and it would not have been possible without the Centre’s approval.,” Ifra posted on X.
PDP leaders hit back strongly at the NC government. PDP legislator Waheed Parra, who accompanied Mehbooba during AIIMS visit, accused the government of politicising a healthcare issue at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was facing what he termed a “health emergency.”
Parra claimed that the government was upset over Mehbooba Mufti’s visit instead of focusing on expediting the operationalisation of the institute. He also alleged that AIIMS officials had been summoned to the Chief Minister’s office following the visit.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also criticised the government, alleging that the NC had earlier opposed the location of AIIMS Awantipora and had failed to prioritise review meetings related to the project since 2024.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone termed the episode a “constitutional crisis” and questioned the legality of a former chief minister chairing what he described as a review meeting of a centrally administered institution.
“Chairing a review meeting of a Central Government institution is a constitutional impossibility,” Lone said, while asking whether any formal authorization had been granted for such an exercise.
