'Congress Hasn't Done Much In Jammu...': Omar's Advice To Rahul Gandhi Prompts BJP's 'Complete Wipeout' Claim

Jammu Kashmir Election 2024: Omar Abdullah urged Rahul Gandhi to focus on Jammu as the Congress obtained a 'lion's share' of seats there, expressing disappointment over the campaign strategy so far.

Jammu Kashmir Election 2024: In a pointed remark directed at the Congress, Omar Abdullah, the Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), advised Rahul Gandhi to wrap up campaigning in Kashmir and shift focus to Jammu. This comes as the Congress, in alliance with the JKNC, contests the ongoing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the imbalance in the Congress’ campaign strategy, Omar told news agency, “I hope after Rahul is done campaigning in one or two seats in Kashmir, he focuses in Jammu. Ultimately what the Congress does in Kashmir is not important. What the Congress does in Jammu is important. Unfortunately, Congress hasn’t done as much in the plains of Jammu as we would expect them to do.”

He added that despite the Congress receiving “the lion’s share of the seats” in Jammu, the party has yet to commence a substantial campaign in the region, with only five days of campaigning left. "I hope once Rahul is done campaigning in this one seat in the valley, the Congress focuses all its attention in the plains of Jammu," Omar emphasised.

The Congress party, in alliance with the National Conference, is competing for 32 seats, while the JKNC is vying for 51 of the 90 Assembly seats. Omar Abdullah is contesting from both Ganderbal and Budgam assembly seats, which went to polls today. Omar faces PDP's Bashir Ahmed Mir in Ganderbal and Aga Muntazir Mehdi in Budgam.

Commenting on Omar Abdullah's remarks about Rahul Gandhi’s campaign, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, speaking to ABP News, claimed, "Omar Abdullah has accepted that Congress is facing a complete wipeout in Jammu." He added, "The BJP will form a government with an overwhelming majority in the state."

Jammu-Kashmir Election 2024: Omar Abdullah Slams Modi Govt

In the interview with ANI, Omar expressed optimism about the turnout in the second phase of voting, saying, “We have been waiting for ten years. The first phase went well, we expect a good turnout from the second phase also, the enthusiasm has been heartening, hope it turns out into voter turnout also.”

On the Indian Government’s invitation to foreign diplomats to observe the elections, the former J&K chief minister voiced his disapproval, stating, "I don’t know why foreigners need to check elections. When they comment on certain things, the Indian government says it is an internal matter. Now these elections are an internal matter."

Omar further criticised the Centre’s handling of the Jammu and Kashmir elections, stating that participation was not due to the government’s efforts but rather in spite of them. “They have humiliated people, they have used all the machinery to harass people, so it’s not something they need to be highlighting," Omar remarked.

Jammu-Kashmir Election 2024: Omar Abdullah Predicts Bleak PollOutcome For PDP

Targeting the PDP, Omar asserted that the party has "seen the writing on the wall" and would be "lucky to even win from Bijbehara," a small town in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Addressing allegations of bogus voting in Ganderbal, Omar countered criticisms from the PDP, saying, "I can't help if their candidates have not been able to make the impact that they expected. It’s not my fault that people have come out in my favour."

The former J&K chief minister went on to state that the PDP was content with the support of the Apni Party in Budgam until a leader from the latter switched allegiance him, which upset the PDP. "Forget about Budgam and Ganderbal, they’ll be lucky to even win in Bijbehara," he added.

Voting for the second phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began on Wednesday morning. Over 25 lakh eligible voters are expected to seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory. Among the prominent candidates are Omar Abdullah, contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal, BJP’s Ravinder Raina from Nowshera, and Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra from Central-Shalteng. The last phase of the polls will take place on October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.