Omar’s plea reflects voter’s power

Srinagar, Sep 07: In the heart of this politically charged landscape,  the recent appeal of  National Conference (NC) Vice President (NC) Omar Abdullah with folded hands also reflects that the real power in a  free and fair election lies with a voter only.

A power that has always been with the voter and one that remains intact, even amidst the dramatic turn of events that the region has gone through since August 5, 2019, the day the special status of the erstwhile state was abrogated.

The elections, whenever free from interference, in Jammu and Kashmir have always put the destiny of the contestants at the discretion of its people.

Now, as Omar Abdullah traverses through constituencies, his appeal  also makes a statement that goes beyond the political ebbs and flows: the electorate is paramount.

Like many of his contemporaries, Omar has been issuing a spate of appeals for votes. Yet, his latest outing in Ganderbal was different. The NC Vice President, after filing his nomination papers, spoke to his party members and said in a very personal and deep gesture, removing his skull cap, folding his hands, “Protect my dignity by voting for me. Allow me to serve you again.” The incident, captured on camera, went viral on social media, where the reactions ran rife - a blend of praise at his “humility,” with others suspecting “sinister motives.”

Two days later, Omar explained his appeal and said that the reason behind it was not for himself but for the dignity of the people.

“Your respect is my respect, and my respect is yours. My party and I are fighting for the restoration of your dignity and rights,” he said at another rally in Ganderbal’s Lar area while rebuilding the emotional undertone of his campaign.

But this act wasn’t left unresponded either. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday made a veiled reference to his plea at a function in Srinagar.

“It is because of the presence of PDP that leaders from other parties now seek votes with folded hands,” she said,  crediting this to the alternative political voice created by her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. “Until 2002, one party dominated the landscape, taking the people for granted, knowing there were no other options.”

With the counting of votes on October 8, Omar’s appeal looks set to remain in focus with the discussions going unabated. The former chief minister, also a former Minister of State for External Affairs, has been shepherding NC’s electoral plan by campaigning across the length and width of Jammu and Kashmir, with constant backing from his father, NC President Farooq Abdullah.

Besides his candidature in Ganderbal, Omar  is contesting the Budgam assembly seat-for the first time. Though not unusual in  politics of the country, his decision attracted criticism from rivals who say that it reflects insecurity after his defeat in the Baramulla parliamentary constituency.

The criticism even reached Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who made a remark during a news conference in Jammu: “Omar Sahab wasn’t initially prepared to contest, fearing defeat. Now he is contesting from two constituencies because he is not certain about his chances. The people are not with him this time.”

However, Omar has rejected such accusations, terming the Budgam contest as a calculated move, not an act of insecurity. “I am not insecure. It is important to show that we are a winning party, even in adverse conditions.”

Budgam, being part of the Baramulla parliamentary constituency where he lost last time, has some symbolic significance. “Winning here is imperative,” he said.

As far as Ganderbal constituency is concerned, Omar has represented the area as MLA for six years. The seat had been earlier represented by his father and grandfather.

Historically, Ganderbal has been synonymous with NC's dominance. From this constituency, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and later Dr Farooq Abdullah won. But fortunes turned in 2002 when Omar lost here, only to win it back in 2008, which then propelled him to become chief minister for six years in the NC-Congress government.

In 2014, Omar decided to contest elections from the Sonwar constituency in Srinagar and Beerwah and won the latter while losing the former. This time, in 2024, Omar returns to Ganderbal along with Budgam to make a bid for both seats and a bid to reassert his leadership.