 |
|
Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the National Conference, has candidly discussed the compromises his party made to secure an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly elections in the Union Territory. In an interview with ANI, Abdullah acknowledged that the National Conference had to 'surrender' seats to forge the alliance, emphasizing that these adjustments are common in any seat-sharing arrangement. He highlighted the paramount importance of the alliance, stating that it was too critical to let a few seats jeopardize the larger objective.
Abdullah further elaborated on the rationale behind the alliance, drawing a parallel to the Madhya Pradesh scenario where the Congress failed to reach an agreement with the Samajwadi Party over a small number of seats, ultimately leading to the Congress contesting the elections alone. He stressed that the NC's priority was to avoid a similar situation in Jammu and Kashmir. His comments highlight the delicate nature of political alliances, particularly in a region marked by complex political dynamics.
The article also delves into Abdullah's criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s handling of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that the BJP's narrative claiming Article 370's abrogation was welcomed by the Jammu region and opposed by Kashmir was contradicted by the BJP's reduced margins in the Jammu region in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections compared to 2019. This observation suggests that the BJP's narrative might not be entirely accurate, undermining their claim of a clear division of sentiment regarding Article 370 between the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah's criticism extended to the BJP's decision to abolish the 'Darbar Move,' the seasonal shift of the Jammu and Kashmir government from Jammu to Srinagar and back, which he argued had a detrimental impact on the economy of Jammu. He pledged that an NC-Congress alliance in power would reverse this decision, at least for Jammu. This commitment speaks to the alliance's focus on addressing the economic concerns of the region and reversing what they perceive as detrimental policies implemented by the BJP.
Furthermore, Abdullah expressed the need for stronger domicile laws in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that the current laws, which were introduced after the abrogation of Article 370, were weaker than those in neighboring Himachal Pradesh and were the weakest in the country. He expressed concern about the potential for land grabbing and exploitation of resources by outsiders, advocating for priority rights for local residents. This stance reflects the NC's commitment to protecting the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning their rights over land and resources.
While Abdullah refrained from explicitly naming the Chief Minister candidate for the NC-Congress alliance, his statements offer insights into the alliance's priorities, strategies, and concerns regarding the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The article provides a valuable perspective on the political landscape of the region and the key issues that will likely shape the electoral campaign.
Source: Omar Abdullah opens up about ‘compromises’ for Congress alliance in J&K