Omar accuses BJP of backing independents in Kashmir to secure political foothold

Ganderbal, Sep 04: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of backing independent candidates in Kashmir to secure a political foothold in Jammu & Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination papers at the Returning Officer’s office in Ganderbal, Abdullah claimed that the BJP is well aware that independent candidates have a higher success rate in Kashmir and intends to use them to form a government in the future.
However, he expressed confidence that voters would reject this strategy when the results are announced, asserting that neither the BJP nor its agenda will prevail in Kashmir.
When asked whether he would be filing nomination papers from the Beerwah constituency as well, Omar deflected, stating that he preferred to focus on Ganderbal.
Reflecting on his long-standing connection with Ganderbal, the former chief minister said the people of the constituency had elected him three times as their MLA and once as their Member of Parliament.
Omar also said that Ishfaq Jabbar’s 2014 victory hinged on the NC ticket, claiming he would not have won otherwise. However, Abdullah expressed disappointment that Jabbar had not lived up to the expectations of the people, which he said led to a stagnation in developmental work in Ganderbal since 2014.
The NC leader said his decision to contest from Ganderbal again is driven by the need to revive the halted development projects and to usher in a new era of progress for the region.