Omar Abdullah slammed by own party's Srinagar MP for 'failing to condemn' Khamenei killing

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (file photo)

• MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi criticizes Omar Abdullah for silence on killing
• Mehdi: Abdullah's concern for Iran is meaningless without condemnation
• Farooq Abdullah condemns Khamenei's assassination

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National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday took aim at Omar Abdullah, accusing him of failing to “condemn” the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mehdi said that if the Chief Minister could not find the courage to explicitly denounce Khamenei’s killing, his expressions of concern over the situation in Iran would carry little weight among those who followed and respected the Iranian leader.

While going through Tweets and statements I found that he is “concerned” and falls short of condemnation let alone a word of tribute. If you cannot find courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure…

— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) March 1, 2026

"While going through tweets and statements, I found that he is "concerned" and falls short of condemnation, let alone a word of tribute," Mehdi said in a post on X without naming the chief minister.

The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar constituency, who is in an estranged relationship with the ruling National Conference, said if Abdullah does not have the courage to condemn the act of aggression against a sovereign nation, he should keep his concern to himself, reported PTI.

"If you cannot find the courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure who is widely followed by your electorate and fellow citizens, because the people in power in the centre you are trying to cosy up to will get upset- Keep your "concern" with yourself," Mehdi added in his post on X.

The Chief Minister on Sunday said he was deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest," he posted on X.

National Conference issued a statement attributed to party president Farooq Abdullah in which he condemned the killing of Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel.

"(Farooq) Abdullah has strongly denounced the act, describing it as a tragic and destabilising development with serious implications for peace and stability in the region," the National Conference said in the statement.

(With inputs from PTI)