Omar Abdullah Rises: National Conference Takes the Lead in J&K After Article 370 Abrogation
Image Source: One India
09.10.2024: The recent Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) marked a significant moment in the political dynamics of the region, particularly with the rise of the National Conference (NC) led by Omar Abdullah. This election saw the National Conference secure 42 out of 56 seats it contested, establishing itself as the single largest party. Omar’s decisive victories in both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies further reinforced his political stature.
This victory comes against the backdrop of J&K’s tumultuous political scenario following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped the region of its special status and reduced it to a Union Territory. Omar Abdullah’s party capitalized on the political resentment that followed, positioning itself as the main opposition to the BJP and advocating for the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Omar Abdullah’s electoral success can be attributed to the early and methodical preparation of the National Conference, which positioned itself as the leading opposition to the BJP. A key factor in their success was the quick appointment of constituency in-charges following the delimitation process, allowing NC candidates to establish connections with voters long before the official election announcement.
Omar’s campaign strategy also focused on connecting with the people on an emotional level, particularly in Ganderbal, where he emphasized his desire to serve the community. Additionally, his return to speaking Kashmiri during his speeches helped him connect more authentically with the electorate.
Omar Abdullah’s victories in Ganderbal and Budgam were decisive, defeating his PDP opponents by substantial margins. His success in Ganderbal, a family stronghold, was expected, but his win in Budgam, where he contested for the first time, demonstrated his growing influence beyond traditional constituencies.
Omar Abdullah now faces significant administrative challenges, primarily due to J&K’s status as a Union Territory, where the Lieutenant Governor holds most of the executive powers, including control over the police and officer transfers. Omar has acknowledged that restoring J&K’s statehood remains a top priority, and any government formed in the region must build a productive relationship with the central government to achieve this goal.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring representation and voice for the people of Jammu, particularly in the context of the BJP’s strong presence in the region. He suggested the restoration of the Legislative Council to ensure balanced representation for all regions within J&K. “I am of the belief that if statehood is restored, we should strive for the legislative council to be restored, and we can have representation from Jammu there,” he said.
The National Conference was also the first party to file a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Center’s decision to remove Article 370, placing itself front and centre in the fight to restore Article 370, reflecting the resentment on the ground. While in December 2023, the SC favoured the Center’s move, Omar said that the fight to restore Article 370 will continue.
Omar took his first plunge into electoral politics in 1998, being elected to Parliament from Srinagar at the age of 28 years. He was part of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, serving as MoS External Affairs. In 2002, he lost his first assembly election from Ganderbal but won the seat in the next election in 2008. From 2009 to January 2015, Omar led J&K as Chief Minister but had to bear the brunt of protests across Kashmir over a spate of civilian killings in the valley. The party faced a rout in the following elections, after which the PDP-BJP coalition took over.
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