SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah has raised concerns about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) potential strategy in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Speaking to party workers in Ganderbal, Abdullah suggested that the BJP may be strategically positioning itself for post-poll alliances with regional parties and independent candidates, a move he believes is designed to undermine the NC’s influence in key constituencies.
Abdullah’s remarks were in response to recent statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “In his speech, Shah was careful in listing the parties the BJP would not form a government with—primarily the NC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” Abdullah said. “However, he conspicuously omitted mentioning parties like the People’s Conference, Apni Party, or Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party. This omission is significant, as it points towards potential post-poll alliances with these regional players or independent candidates if the BJP falls short of a majority.”
Abdullah, who is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies, accused the BJP of fielding independent candidates to weaken the NC’s position. He specifically cited the case of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, commonly known as Sarjan Barkati, a jailed separatist activist contesting from both Ganderbal and Beerwah. Barkati, who remains incarcerated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has drawn considerable attention due to his controversial candidacy. His wife is reportedly also in jail.
“Independent candidates are being deliberately fielded to create confusion and divide votes in critical constituencies,” Abdullah stated. “Sarjan Barkati is one such example, being put forth to target the NC. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this tactic. I lost the Baramulla parliamentary seat to Engineer Rashid, who was also running from jail. But this time, it feels like a coordinated effort to damage the NC in Ganderbal and other key areas.”
Sajad Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, reacted strongly to Abdullah’s claims, defending the legitimacy of independent candidates. “Omar’s narrative that all independents are being propped up by the BJP or other forces is unfounded,” Lone said in a press conference. “Independent candidates have their own political convictions, and many of them are contesting on local issues that matter to their constituencies. They shouldn’t all be painted as stooges or pawns of the BJP.”
Lone emphasised that dismissing independent candidates diminishes their legitimate concerns and the will of their supporters. “Some of these independents represent real aspirations of people in their respective areas,” he added. “The elections are about giving voice to the voiceless, not perpetuating the dominance of the old political elite.”
Omar Abdullah, however, maintained that these independent candidates could be used to form a government with the BJP, even if the latter falls short of a majority. “The BJP is leaving its options open. By not mentioning certain parties or candidates, they’re signalling that post-poll alliances are very much on the table,” Abdullah remarked. “This is why voters need to be cautious. Fragmented votes will only serve to help those who do not have Jammu and Kashmir’s best interests at heart.”
The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, scheduled to take place in three phases—on September 18, and 25, and October 1, 2024—are poised to be highly competitive. Independent candidates are expected to play a significant role, with reports indicating that nearly 40 per cent of the candidates in the fray are independents. Many of these candidates are contesting in constituencies with razor-thin margins, making them potential kingmakers in the event of a hung assembly.
Meanwhile, the BJP has been focusing on its key promises in its manifesto, including women and youth empowerment, the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, the restoration of temples, and the elimination of terrorism in the region. The party has also been highlighting infrastructure development and social justice reforms as major achievements since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
As the election dates draw closer, Omar Abdullah’s NC, along with its Congress alliance, is attempting to consolidate votes to counter what they view as a calculated strategy by the BJP to gain control through a mix of regional parties and independent candidates. Abdullah reiterated his appeal to the electorate, urging them to vote strategically to prevent the “forces that do not truly represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir” from coming to power.
