Omar Abdullah Reveals Compromises in NC-Congress Alliance, Criticizes BJP’s Jammu Strategy
On Friday, Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the National Conference (NC), discussed the recent alliance with the Congress party ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Abdullah revealed that his party made several “compromises” to secure the alliance, including surrendering some of their seats.
Abdullah explained that such compromises are strategic and necessary in seat-sharing agreements. He emphasized that the importance of allying outweighed the loss of a few seats, stating, “All alliances require some adjustments. We had candidates ready for all seats, and while I can’t be sure if Congress did, too, it’s likely. We had to give up some seats to make the alliance work, and that was a strategic decision.”
Before this alliance, the National Conference had planned to contest every seat in the Union territory. Abdullah likened the situation to the Congress-Samajwadi Party debacle in Madhya Pradesh, where disagreements over seat allocations nearly derailed the alliance. However, he also highlighted the potential benefits of the NC-Congress alliance, instilling a sense of optimism about the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Taking a jab at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Abdullah criticized the narrative that Article 370 was divisive between Kashmiris and the people of Jammu. He pointed out that despite the BJP’s claims, their vote margins in Jammu decreased in the 2024 elections compared to 2019. “If Article 370 was as unpopular in Jammu as claimed, the BJP’s margins there should have increased, but they didn’t,” he said.
Abdullah also expressed concerns about the economic impact of the BJP’s decision to end the Darbar move, which he said had been vital for Jammu’s economy. “The Darbar move was crucial for Jammu’s economy. It attracted government employees and boosted local businesses. Without it, Jammu is struggling,” he noted. If the NC-Congress alliance wins, Abdullah reiterated his commitment to reconsider the decision to end the Darbar move, at least for Jammu, instilling a sense of hope about potential policy changes.
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He also highlighted the need for stronger domicile laws in Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing current laws as weaker than those in neighboring Himachal Pradesh. He explained that the current laws allow non-residents to buy land and settle in Jammu and Kashmir, while in Himachal Pradesh, such rights are restricted to the local population. “We need to ensure that our land, water, and resources are protected for the local population first. It’s only fair that residents have the first claim,” he argued.
Abdullah, however, sidestepped questions about who would be the Chief Minister if the NC-Congress alliance wins. He did, however, express his vision for the future of Jammu and Kashmir under their leadership, promising a focus on economic development, social welfare, and the restoration of certain rights and privileges that were revoked after the abrogation of Article 370. As the election draws near, polling in Jammu and Kashmir will occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with votes counted on October 8.
