Omar Abdullah Accuses BJP of Attempting to Weaken National Conference

National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah today accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to weaken his party by promoting new candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking at a rally in Qasbayar, Pulwama, Omar predicted that these efforts would face the same fate as in the last Lok Sabha elections, where BJP-backed candidates suffered significant defeats.After the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in 2019, Omar claimed the BJP has been experimenting politically in Jammu and Kashmir by pushing new faces and parties, but to no avail. “In the last Parliamentary election, their candidates lost their security deposits,” he said, dismissing the impact of the BJP’s recent moves.Omar also criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for aligning with the BJP after the 2014 elections despite initially opposing them. He reminded voters of how PDP’s MLA from Rajpora helped form the BJP-PDP coalition, calling into question the PDP’s credibility in opposing the BJP in the current election cycle.Targeting other political figures, including Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad and People’s Conference leader Sajjad Lone, Omar accused them of collaborating with forces trying to undermine the NC. He emphasized that despite these challenges, the National Conference remains strong, bolstered by public support.Omar also reminded the BJP of the sacrifices made by NC workers over the past decades. “We are the people who have kept the national flag flying in Kashmir. We do not work against the country,” he stated.Meanwhile, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah opted for a symbolic approach in Srinagar, traveling through the narrow lanes of downtown Srinagar in an auto rickshaw to address an election rally. The former Chief Minister, riding in a vehicle decorated with party flags, made his way to Dagga Mohalla Rainawari in support of NC candidate Tanvir Sadiq for the Zadibal Assembly constituency. The streets were lined with party supporters, as folk songs and chants filled the air, marking the NC’s campaign presence in the region