Omar Abdullah Condemns Mehbooba Mufti’s Alleged Selfishness: A Clash of Ideals within the INDIA Alliance
Challenges to Unity: Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Clash Over Allegations of Self-Interest in J&K Politics
Srinagar, 21-04-2024: In Jammu and Kashmir, the verbal sparring between National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has escalated, with Omar branding Mufti as “selfish” for her alleged failure to uphold the INDIA alliance.
Speaking at a rally in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara, where National Conference candidate Main Altaf is contesting against Mufti, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) nominee Mohammad Saleem, and Apni Party leader Zaffar Manhas, Omar Abdullah lambasted Mufti for what he perceived as a breach of the INDIA alliance’s principles.
“The INDIA alliance was forged to counter sectarian forces, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), unitedly. It was not about seat sharing or personal gains, but rather about the progress of Jammu and Kashmir in tandem with the rest of the country,” Omar asserted.
Expressing regret over the need for the National Conference to contest against an INDIA alliance member in the constituency, Omar Abdullah refuted accusations of betrayal leveled against his party. He argued that Mufti’s labeling of the National Conference as selfish was unjustified, emphasizing that his party had consistently advocated for fielding candidates from the three Kashmir seats won by the National Conference in the valley.
Challenging the notion of selfishness, Omar pointed out the support extended by Congress and CPIM’s Taragami to the National Conference candidate, Mian Altaf, in the south Kashmir seat. He questioned whether these parties were also deemed selfish for their actions.
According to Omar, the true selfishness lay with those who had opportunistically joined the INDIA alliance solely to secure a seat, devoid of any broader agenda. He reiterated that the primary objective of the alliance was to confront forces that perpetuated division and discord, particularly the BJP, which he accused of undermining the unity and integrity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Asserting the INDIA alliance’s commitment to countering the BJP, Omar emphasized the importance of defeating those who had sown seeds of hatred and division in the region. He underscored the sacrifices made by the alliance partners, including relinquishing seats in Kargil, Jammu, and Udhampur, to demonstrate their solidarity in confronting divisive forces.
Omar Abdullah appealed to the electorate to consider his message and make an informed decision on polling day, expressing readiness to accept the outcome of the elections on May 7. Amidst the charged political atmosphere, the rift within the INDIA alliance underscores the complex dynamics at play in Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral landscape.
