Farooq Abdullah Rules Out NC-BJP Alliance: ‘Joining Them Is Political Suicide’
Srinagar, Oct 5: National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah made a definitive statement today, ruling out any possibility of his party aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that such a move would be political suicide, likening it to “imminent death.” Addressing the media at his residence, Dr. Abdullah firmly stated that the votes cast in favor of the NC during the recent assembly elections were a clear rejection of the BJP, and forming an alliance with them would betray the trust of the electorate. “The votes we received were against the BJP, which has inflicted atrocities on Muslims. How can we join hands with a party that our voters rejected? Aligning with them would be like heading toward certain death, sooner or later,” Abdullah said passionately.
He further dismissed any speculation that NC leaders, including himself, had engaged in back-channel negotiations with the BJP regarding government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Abdullah was adamant, asserting that the BJP’s ambitions to form a government in the Union Territory were nothing more than a dream. “The BJP is dreaming if they think they will form a government here. We have had no talks with them, nor will we,” he said. He went on to criticize the BJP for its policies, which he alleged have systematically marginalized Muslims. He accused the BJP of using bulldozers to demolish homes, schools, and mosques in Muslim communities, while excluding Muslims from meaningful political representation. “They didn’t even give a single Muslim a ticket during the Lok Sabha elections, and there isn’t a single Muslim in their Cabinet. They are fooling themselves if they think they will have any part in governing Jammu and Kashmir,” he asserted.
Dr. Abdullah’s remarks come amid growing political speculation following the assembly elections, where various exit polls have indicated a lead for the NC-Congress alliance. With the official counting of votes set for October 8, Abdullah remained confident that the NC-Congress coalition would prevail. He was resolute in his belief that any form of collaboration with the BJP would be inconceivable given the current political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, and the public sentiment that overwhelmingly opposed the ruling party at the national level.
Turning his attention to the Haryana assembly elections, Dr. Abdullah predicted a defeat for the BJP there as well, asserting that the Congress would emerge victorious. “I believe Congress will secure the majority in Haryana. The people have suffered under BJP rule, and it’s time for a change,” he stated. His remarks highlighted not only his political confidence in Congress’s resurgence but also his broader critique of the BJP’s governance both in Jammu and Kashmir and in Haryana.
In the context of international relations, Dr. Abdullah also addressed the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to visit Pakistan. Abdullah expressed hope for an improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, signaling the importance of diplomatic engagements between the two nations. “I hope the participating countries, particularly India and Pakistan, will address pressing issues, including the economic challenges facing the region. I am confident that bilateral matters will also be discussed, and I hope for a reduction in animosity between the two nations,” he said. Abdullah’s remarks underscored his ongoing advocacy for dialogue and better relations between the neighboring countries, which have been marred by decades of political and military tensions.
Meanwhile, NC vice president Omar Abdullah, son of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, downplayed the significance of exit polls in Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly elections. Responding to media reports suggesting a favorable outcome for the NC-Congress alliance, Omar Abdullah stated that exit polls were unreliable and should be taken with a grain of salt. “I am amazed that TV channels are even bothering with exit polls, especially after their disastrous predictions in the recent general elections. The only numbers that matter will be revealed on October 8, after the votes are counted. Everything else is just time pass,” Omar Abdullah posted on X, dismissing the exit polls as inconsequential.
Omar’s comments reflect a growing skepticism surrounding the accuracy of exit polls, particularly in volatile political environments like Jammu and Kashmir, where voter behavior is often unpredictable and influenced by a wide range of factors. Exit polls have been notoriously inconsistent in recent years, especially in regions with complex political dynamics such as Jammu and Kashmir. While some polls have predicted a victory for the NC-Congress alliance, Omar’s cautious stance suggests that the party is not willing to rely on preliminary projections, opting instead to wait for the final vote tally.
The BJP, on the other hand, remains optimistic about its chances in Jammu and Kashmir, despite the unfavorable exit polls. Party president Ravinder Raina expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party in the region once the results are declared. Raina pointed to the robust campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president J.P. Nadda, which, according to him, received tremendous support from the people. He asserted that the BJP fought the elections with full force and was hopeful of forming the next government. “We are confident that BJP will emerge victorious on October 8 and will work towards forming a stable government in Jammu and Kashmir. We have campaigned with the blessings of the people, and we are optimistic about a splendid victory,” Raina said.
The contrasting views from political leaders highlight the uncertainty that often surrounds exit polls, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where historical, religious, and political factors deeply influence voting patterns. As the final results approach, the region stands on the brink of a significant political shift, with both the NC-Congress alliance and the BJP vying for control. Whether the exit polls will prove accurate or miss the mark remains to be seen, but the ultimate decision rests in the hands of the voters, whose voices will be fully heard once the votes are counted on October 8.
