Srinagar, Aug 30: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah addressed party members at the NC headquarters, Nawa-e-Subah, and explained the challenging decision to form a pre-poll alliance with the Congress. Abdullah acknowledged that the alliance was a difficult choice, involving significant sacrifices, but deemed it essential for defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Omar Abdullah highlighted that the decision to align with the Congress was not straightforward, as it required the NC to forfeit several seats where the party believed it had a strong chance of victory. Despite this, the alliance was crucial to mounting an effective challenge against the BJP. “We joined forces with the Congress despite knowing that this decision was not easy for us. We had to give up on seats where we were confident of giving a tough fight,” Abdullah said.
He underscored the importance of this collaborative effort for the “restoration of rights” in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), framing it as a collective struggle that benefits the entire region. “This is not merely our fight but that of all J&K. Addressing the injustices done to us will have positive repercussions for every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. Our battle is a collective one for the betterment of the region,” he added.
Omar Abdullah noted that the alliance’s impact was already evident when Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Congress leader and head of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, announced he would not campaign for his party. This development highlighted the significance of the NC-Congress alliance.
Looking ahead, Abdullah promised that if the NC were to come to power, the party would take decisive actions to address legal and administrative issues. Specifically, he vowed to revoke the Public Safety Act (PSA), which has been criticized for its broad application and misuse. “The PSA has been used indiscriminately, causing many problems. Our manifesto includes a commitment to revoking the PSA in J&K to prevent further misuse and to protect our youth,” he said.
Abdullah’s remarks reflect the NC’s strategic and principled stance on both electoral alliances and governance issues, aiming to address longstanding concerns while positioning the party as a key player in the region’s political landscape.