‘Sensible Leader’: Kiren Rijiju's Rare Praise For Omar Abdullah Over Remarks On Fuel Supplies

Published 12 June 2026 · local

‘Sensible Leader’: Kiren Rijiju's Rare Praise For Omar Abdullah Over Remarks On Fuel Supplies Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 10:04 IST Abdullah's comments

‘Sensible Leader’: Kiren Rijiju's Rare Praise For Omar Abdullah Over Remarks On Fuel Supplies Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 10:04 IST Abdullah's comments were interpreted as an acknowledgement of India's relatively stable fuel supply situation despite growing concerns over disruptions in global energy markets. Rapid Read Rijuji's praise for Omar Abdullah comes days after the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister attended the INDIA bloc meeting held in Delhi. In a rare instance of cross-party admiration, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju parised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah over his remarks on India’s consistent fuel supplies amid West Asia tensions, calling him a “sensible leader" and urging others to adopt a similar approach in public discourse. Responding to a question on the impact of the Iran-US conflict on fuel prices, Abdullah said that India was better placed than several countries facing fuel supply disruptions.

He further noted that some European countries were rationing aviation fuel while neighbouring Pakistan was facing difficulties in refuelling aircraft. “Compared to that, the situation in our country is much better. However, we would hope that the war ends as soon as possible," Abdullah said.’ Some people need to learn lessons from Omar Abdullah sahab. He is a sensible leader. Although we openly differ on some ideological issues. pic.twitter.com/xp7aIb3tT2— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 11, 2026 His comments were widely interpreted as an acknowledgement of India’s relatively stable fuel supply situation despite growing concerns over disruptions in global energy markets. Reacting to the remarks, Rijiju took to X to praise the Conference leader. “Some people need to learn lessons from Omar Abdullah sahab. He is a sensible leader," the Union minister wrote.

While noting that they differ on several ideological issues, Rijiju commended Abdullah’s approach and stressed the importance of national unity during times of crisis. In a message posted partly in Urdu, Rijiju said political rivals may continue to contest each other democratically, but should stand together when the country’s interests are involved. The BJP leader’s comments have attracted attention as a rare example of public appreciation across party lines. Abdullah’s Conference is a constituent of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, and the chief minister had attended a meeting of alliance leaders in New Delhi earlier this week. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news.