New Delhi, Dec 15: In a sharp rebuttal to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) criticism of dynasty politics, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that political lineage does not guarantee perpetual success. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the media, Abdullah questioned why the BJP refrains from targeting its allies who also rely on dynastic politics.
Omar Abdullah, whose family represents the fourth generation in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape, asserted that his children, like anyone else, must earn their place in public life. “Belonging to a political family is not a lifelong ticket to success. Whatever space they choose to carve out, they will have to make for themselves. Nobody is going to give them anything on a plate,” he said.
Abdullah’s remarks came in response to questions about the potential political future of his two lawyer sons, Zamir and Zahir, who have recently voiced strong opinions on key issues such as the abrogation of Article 370. The siblings had also actively campaigned alongside their father during the September Assembly elections.
Abdullah, reflecting on his own political journey, noted, “I lost an election this year. I’m the same person, from the same family, and the same political party. Yet, I failed in the Parliamentary elections earlier this year but won the Assembly elections handsomely later. Success isn’t handed down—it has to be earned.”
Abdullah accused the BJP of being selectively critical of dynastic politics, calling out the party’s alliances with political families. “The BJP only opposes dynastic politics when it’s convenient. They have no issues with dynastic allies—past, present, or future. Their problem is not with political families as a concept but with political families that oppose the BJP,” he said.
He pointed out what he called the BJP’s “political hypocrisy,” claiming that the party tends to overlook issues of nepotism and corruption among its allies. “From the BJP’s vantage point, once you are an ally, you are neither a dynast nor corrupt anymore,” Abdullah remarked.
When asked if he provides political guidance to his sons, Abdullah, now 54, likened politicians to “glorified daily wagers,” whose careers are inherently unstable. “We are here today, but we may not be here tomorrow. I’ve told them to always have something to fall back on,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, Abdullah highlighted the uncertainty of political careers. “My party and I were in office in 2014, out by 2018, and didn’t return until 2024. You need an income or profession that sustains you when you’re not in power,” he advised.
Abdullah further compared political advantage through family connections to fields like acting and sports. “Some may get recognition early on, but if you can’t perform, no one will carry you. Politics, like any other career, demands performance and resilience,” he said.
Omar Abdullah’s family has been at the helm of Jammu and Kashmir politics for decades. His grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, is regarded as the founding father of the post-independence state, and his father, Farooq Abdullah, has served as Chief Minister multiple times. Omar himself returned as Chief Minister for a second term in October, despite facing setbacks in the earlier Parliamentary elections.
As the debate over dynasty politics continues, Abdullah’s comments underscore the complexities of political legacies in India and the challenges that come with maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving political landscape. His remarks reflect a mix of introspection and critique, resonating with a broader audience grappling with questions of meritocracy and privilege in public life.