In an interview with India Today TV, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah expressed admiration for Rahul Gandhi's performance in the Lok Sabha elections, noting that the Congress leader was directly confronting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Abdullah highlighted Gandhi's spirited fight in the elections and his ability to challenge Modi head-on. He observed that Modi's relentless attacks on Gandhi indicated the effectiveness of Gandhi's campaign. Abdullah also commended Gandhi for skillfully dispelling the negative tags that the BJP had attempted to associate with him.
Both the National Conference and Congress are contesting the Lok Sabha elections in alliance under the opposition-led INDIA bloc. While NC is contesting in Anantnag, Baramulla, and Srinagar seats, Congress is fielding candidates in Udhampur, Jammu, and Ladakh constituencies.
Abdullah emphasized the significance of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, noting various firsts such as being the first elections after the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the state into a union territory. He lamented the absence of an elected government in the region since 2018, questioning why the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been deprived of democracy.
Abdullah suggested that the Lok Sabha elections were an opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to express their sentiments about the situation in the region. He highlighted the enthusiasm among NC workers, attributing it to their desire to be heard after years of silence following the 2019 parliamentary elections. He emphasized the importance of this election as a platform for NC workers to voice their concerns and aspirations.
