by Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: In a display of humility, desperation and earnestness, JK National Conference (NC) Vice President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, made an impassioned appeal to voters as he filed his nomination for the Ganderbal Assembly seat on Wednesday. Shedding his usual composure, Abdullah removed his cap and addressed the gathering with folded hands, urging the people of Ganderbal to grant him a single opportunity to serve them.
“Today, I want to say only one thing—my cap, my turban, and my honour are in your hands,” Abdullah implored, speaking in Kashmiri to forge a deeper connection with the local populace. His words resonated with many, with some party workers moved to tears as they chanted party slogans in solidarity. Removing the cap in Kashmiri culture is an act of supplication.
The Ganderbal constituency, historically a bastion of the Abdullah family, has been a significant arena for the NC. Three generations of the family have represented the seat, beginning with NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1977, followed by his son Farooq Abdullah, and later by Omar Abdullah in 2008. However, the political landscape in Ganderbal has grown increasingly competitive, presenting challenges for Abdullah as he seeks to reclaim the seat in the forthcoming elections.
This election is the first since Jammu and Kashmir’s reorganisation into a Union Territory in 2019, adding further weight to Abdullah’s candidacy. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that Ganderbal will go to the polls on September 25, with results to be declared on October 8, 2024.
During his speech, Abdullah acknowledged the hardships that have plagued Ganderbal since he departed from the seat in 2014, stressing the stalled developmental projects and the need for renewed efforts. “All the developmental works in Ganderbal were stopped after 2014, so I am forced to enter the electoral fray to restart those works and begin a new era of development,” he stated.
The NC leader also addressed the increasing presence of independent candidates, some of whom have been accused of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine the NC’s chances. “The BJP is trying to make independent candidates win on as many seats in Kashmir as possible to cobble up an alliance with them for government formation,” Abdullah warned, vowing that the voters would not allow such a scenario to unfold.
Adding to the complexity of the race, Abdullah faces competition from Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, a former NC member who won the Ganderbal seat in 2014 but later left the party. Jabbar, who has been critical of Abdullah’s return to Ganderbal, was accused by Abdullah of betraying the people of the constituency by halting progress after taking office.
Besides, Abdullah must contend with rising political forces such as Sheikh Ashiq, representing the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, a separatist figure, both of whom have filed nominations for the Ganderbal seat. These new challengers add layers of complexity to what was once considered a secure seat for the Abdullah family.
The pre-poll alliance between the NC and the Indian National Congress, which agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming elections, also faces strains. The decision of Congress’s Ganderbal district president, Sahil Farooq, to file his nomination as an independent candidate against Abdullah highlights the internal discord and could potentially disrupt the alliance.
These are not the only challenges that Omar, who initially wanted not to contest, is facing. Party sources said he is filing his nomination from Budgam as well to ensure he sails safely. However, there is tension in the town as his top party man; Agh Syed Mehmood is not taking it lightly. There are chances of him leaving the party, a decision he had taken earlier as well.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high for Omar Abdullah and the National Conference. A loss in Ganderbal would not only be a personal setback for Abdullah but could also signal a weakening of the NC’s influence in a region they have dominated for decades. The voters of Ganderbal now hold in their hands the future of a political dynasty and the fate of their constituency.
