BJP nervous over poor performance in 2 phases: Omar Abdullah

Jammu, Sep 27: National Conference Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday stated that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was targeting National Conference and Congress to hide its nervousness as it (BJP) was apprehending drubbing in the assembly elections.

Omar was responding to media queries about the criticism of the NC manifesto by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister after addressing election rallies in support of party candidates in Jammu, Udhampur and Samba districts.

“BJP’s nervousness is on account of its dismal performance in two phases of assembly elections. Our internal assessment is indicating that the party will not be able to win even its Nowshera seat. Anyway, I’m thankful to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister for repeatedly referring to our (NC) manifesto in their addresses. It indicates that our views, our voice carry weight although NC has no stakes outside J&K,” Omar said.

From Nowshera, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina is contesting.

Responding to their (BJP) charges against NC (Congress and PDP) for propagating terrorism in J&K, Omar said, “They are accusing us of revival of terrorism. In fact we had eliminated it but BJP, with the failed policies of its double-engine government, allowed it to resurface in Jammu region,” he said, while also referring to terrorist attacks on Amarnath pilgrims in 2017 and Shiv Khori pilgrims in 2024.

“They destroyed J&K. They failed to provide employment to youth, do development. Now they are trying to create dissensions among different sections of people to meet their ulterior objectives,” Omar said.

“Union Home Minister was trying to mislead people,” he said, in response to a question related to his (Home Minister’s) statement that two phases of assembly elections had ensured complete rout of Congress and NC.

Earlier, addressing a series of public rallies in Jammu North, Udhampur East, Vijaypur Assembly constituencies, Omar Abdullah sought a decisive mandate for the alliance candidates in Jammu.

He said, “From opening up Jammu to big retail players thereby pushing small traders to the wall, to the mounting daily issues of inflation, unemployment, toll plaza fees, power tariff hikes, ration curtailment, and the crumbling Dogra heritage sites, the people of Jammu have witnessed BJP years with their own eyes.” He added that the reason for joining forces with the Congress was to establish a united front against the BJP and prevent the splitting of votes. With the grace of God, the alliance will form the government after October 8th.”

Taking a dig at the normalcy claims of BJP government, Omar said, “BJP should first answer why militancy is spreading to Jammu region post 2019, especially in the last three years when its graph went up. There is not a single place in Jammu where terror attacks have not taken place — whether it is Chenab valley, Pir Panjal region, Reasi, Kathua, Udhampur, Jammu and Samba...this reflects their [BJP government’s] failure and the party should accept it and seek forgiveness from the people.”