NC-Congress Alliance Eyes Power: Omar Abdullah Takes Aim at Rivals, Declares Confidence in J&K Elections.
||Black and White Digital News||
||September 10 ,2024 ||
Banihal : In a fervent display of political optimism, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah announced that the NC, in partnership with the Congress, is poised to take the reins of power in Jammu and Kashmir following the upcoming elections. Speaking to an energized crowd during an election rally in Banihal’s Khari area, Abdullah assured the electorate that the NC-Congress coalition would emerge victorious, bringing an end to what he described as “unnecessary harassment” by the current administration.
“Our alliance with Congress has been tested and despite minor hiccups during seat-sharing negotiations, we stand united. The day is not far when we will form the next government,” Abdullah declared confidently. He emphasized that while some constituencies, like Banihal, may see friendly contests between NC and Congress candidates, the larger coalition remains strong, with a shared vision for the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah also took the opportunity to slam both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of wreaking havoc on the erstwhile state through ill-fated political decisions. “The BJP-PDP coalition brought destruction to J&K. Instead of accepting responsibility, PDP continues to point fingers at NC, even though it was the BJP that stripped J&K of its special status by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A,” Abdullah charged, referencing the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories under BJP rule.
He reminded the audience of the NC’s attempted outreach to PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during the 2014 elections. “We extended a hand of friendship to prevent an alliance with the BJP, but Mufti rejected our support and formed a government that ultimately dismantled the autonomy and integrity of our region,” Abdullah asserted.
The former chief minister’s criticisms also extended to his rivals within the Congress, notably former minister Vikar Rasool Wani, who has been vocally attacking NC leadership during his campaign. Abdullah responded with sharp words: “Wani was campaigning alongside me for a Congress candidate only a few months ago, singing praises of the NC. Now, he denigrates our leadership. Either he was lying then, or he’s lying now—both cannot be true.”
Abdullah made it clear that his criticisms of Wani were personal, not aimed at the Congress party as a whole. He expressed disappointment over Wani’s recent behavior but maintained that his relationship with Congress leaders remained intact. “This person opened a front against us, and he alone is responsible for it,” he said, adding that Wani’s removal as Congress’s Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief was indicative of his party’s lack of confidence in him.
Turning his attention to national security issues, Abdullah took a swipe at the BJP for its inconsistent rhetoric on dialogue with Pakistan. He pointed out the contradiction between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent remarks, in which Singh expressed willingness to hold talks with Pakistan if terrorism was curbed, and Home Minister Amit Shah’s dismissal of NC’s similar proposal as being soft on terrorism.
“This type of politics is not appreciated by the people of J&K. We expect our leaders to speak the truth, not play political games,” Abdullah said, reiterating NC’s stance that dialogue is essential for lasting peace in the region.
As Abdullah continued his campaign across Banihal, rallying support in Neel and Gool, he urged voters to look past the divisive tactics of the BJP and PDP. He outlined NC’s commitment to regional development, promising that his party, if elected, would focus on reviving untapped tourism destinations and bringing tangible benefits to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“October 8 will mark a new dawn for J&K,” Abdullah proclaimed, signaling his party’s determination to lead the region toward stability and progress under the NC-Congress banner.
