‘Will quit politics if…’: Omar Abdullah’s dare to BJP

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (Photo: Facebook)

National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah issued a challenge to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, asserting that he would exit politics if the BJP’s candidates in Kashmir Valley fail to forfeit their security deposits in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Abdullah, speaking at a press conference, urged the BJP to demonstrate its confidence in its claims regarding development and normalcy by fielding candidates in the three Kashmir Valley constituencies. He asserted that if the BJP truly believed in its rhetoric, it should contest the elections and gauge the support for its candidates.

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The NC vice president, flanked by party president Farooq Abdullah and other senior leaders, announced his candidacy for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, while Shia leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi was nominated for the Srinagar constituency.

Asked why he chose the Baramulla seat instead of Srinagar which he has represented in Lok Sabha several times, Abdullah said the assembly segment he last represented – Beerwah – is now a part of Baramulla Lok Sabha seat after the delimitation. “So, I am technically a north Kashmir contestant,” he added.

Responding to BJP’s criticism of the NC, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress’s alleged lack of achievements in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah challenged the BJP to contest the elections on its own merits rather than resorting to accusations.

Abdullah said, “I don’t think I need to react. Let the people do that. If what the Prime Minister says has so much power, then let them field BJP candidates and seek votes in the name of the BJP.”

“What you (BJP) did on Article 370, what you claim about development or normalcy… then field BJP candidates and see how many votes the BJP candidates would get. Your attempts to prop up A or B or C teams, leave that then. When you say that you have done so much work and that we have done nothing in Jammu and Kashmir, then we should lose our security deposits in the elections,” he said.

Referring to the reported meeting between BJP general secretary and in-charge J-K Tarun Chugh and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari here, he said, “What was the need for Tarun Chugh to bring all of these on one stage to defeat us?”

“If we have done nothing, people will not accept us. If the people would not accept us, then why are you taking our names in your speeches regularly? In that case, why are you using your agencies against us?” he said.

“If you have done so much, then please field BJP candidates on these three seats (in Kashmir). If they do not lose their security deposits, then I will quit politics,” he added.

Abdullah also questioned the BJP’s motivations in engaging with various political figures to oppose the NC, expressing skepticism about their intentions.

Regarding alliances for the upcoming elections, Abdullah said that the NC has left its options open and emphasized the need for unity and introspection among political parties.