Srinagar, Oct 18 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has come under sharp criticism from netizens and political observers after several videos surfaced online showing his starkly contrasting statements on the installation of smart electric meters, one before the elections, and another after assuming office.
The videos, which have gone viral across social media platforms, show Omar Abdullah vehemently opposing the installation of smart meters ahead of the elections, calling them an “unjustified burden on the poor and middle class.” However, in a recent public statement, the same leader defended the initiative, saying that “when people have no issue with prepaid smartphones, they should not oppose prepaid smart electric meters.”
This apparent U-turn has ignited a wave of online criticism, with users accusing the Chief Minister of political hypocrisy and opportunism. “Before elections, Omar Abdullah was a messiah for the poor, now he is defending the very thing he once called anti-people,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented, “Power changes everything — including principles.”
Several Facebook pages and YouTube channels have compiled side-by-side clips of Omar’s contradictory remarks, fuelling a debate over political sincerity and accountability. The clips show the Chief Minister passionately opposing the metering drive when he was contesting elections, promising to review and halt the process. Yet now, as the head of the government, he has publicly endorsed the same policy, calling it “a step towards efficiency and transparency in power consumption.”
Netizens, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust have accused Omar Abdullah of trying to justify unpopular decisions under the guise of modernization. “It’s convenient to preach reform when you are in power and protest when youare out of it,” one user posted, adding that such flip-flops erode public trust.
Netizens argue that Omar Abdullah’s shifting stand reveals a pattern of political expediency aimed at winning votes rather than maintaining consistent governance principles. “It’s not about smart meters anymore, it’s about credibility,” wrote a social media user.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to press ahead with the metering project, citing benefits such as reduced power theft and improved billing efficiency. However, the Chief Minister’s contradictory statements have left many questioning whether political leaders ever truly mean what they say before facing the electorate. [KNT]
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