Omar Abdullah accuses BJP of making deals with regional parties and Independents for J-K Govt formation

Omar Abdullah also expressed concern about the participation of jailed individuals in the elections, specifically targeting Barkati, who is contesting against him.

Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has levelled sharp criticisms against the BJP and its coalition strategies. Speaking at an election rally in the Ganderbal assembly segment, Abdullah accused the BJP of being in cahoots with certain political parties that were not explicitly mentioned by Home Minister Amit Shah.

During his address, Abdullah referred to Shah’s recent statements in Jammu, where the Home Minister listed parties with which the BJP would not form a government. Abdullah pointed out that Shah deliberately left out several parties, including the Apni Party, People’s Conference, and Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party, suggesting that these omissions indicate a tacit alliance or favorable stance towards these groups.

"The home minister listed the parties with which the BJP will not form the government. He was, however, silent about the independents because they are hand in glove (with them). He was silent about Apni Party and People's Conference," he said.

“If you need evidence for this, just look at the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah in Jammu yesterday,” Abdullah said. Abdullah added, "I thought he would at least name the party of Engineer Rashid (Awami Ittehad Party) but he did not."

While unveiling the party manifesto in Jammu on September 6, Amit Shah expressed confidence in securing the formation of a government in Jammu and Kashmir. “There will be no government by the PDP, NC, and Congress ruled by dynasties. Rest possibilities, BJP will explore,” Shah said.

Omar Abdullah also expressed concern about the participation of jailed individuals in the elections, specifically targeting Barkati, who is contesting against him. Abdullah hinted at a possible central government conspiracy, stating, “I wonder why people in jail are after me and want to contest elections against me. It is not a coincidence. They want to target only one person—the National Conference candidate from Ganderbal.”

Omar Abdullah is running for election in the Ganderbal and Budgam assembly segments, which will go to polls in the second phase of voting on September 25.

The assembly elections are scheduled to take place in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with a total of 90 constituencies, including 7 reserved for SCs and 9 for STs. Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible voters, marking the first assembly elections in the region since the abrogation of Article 370. The results will be announced on October 8.