Srinagar, May 16 -- The war of words erupted after Omar Abdullah, citing the Centre's recent decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, floated the idea of restarting work on the Tulbul project-abandoned in the 1980s under pressure from Islamabad.

Posting a video of the incomplete structure on X, Omar wondered if the suspension of the IWT had cleared the way to complete the project, which, he said, would allow Jhelum river navigation and boost power generation in winter. "It will give us the advantage of allowing us to use the Jhelum for navigation. especially in winter," he said.

But Mehbooba Mufti was quick to call the remark "deeply unfortunate," accusing the National Conference leader of stoking tensions betwee...