By Aasif Suhaf 

Lok Sabha 2024: In an exclusive interview with News24, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the way PM Modi targets the Muslim community openly in rallies reflects the frustration of the BJP after the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the country. Omar said they are looking forward to forming the INDIA Alliance government in the country at the end of Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

Regarding the issues National Conference is raising during their Lok Sabha polls campaign in the Kashmir Valley, Omar Abdullah said, “These are the first major elections after August 2019. It’s obvious what Jammu and Kashmir was robbed of by abrogating Article 370, and doubts have emerged among the people related to their lands, jobs, and identity. This is going to be a major issue for these elections and the assembly elections being held in Jammu and Kashmir around September-October this year.”

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In contrast to the rest of the country, on the electoral fight between INDIA Alliance partners in the Kashmir Valley, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “Yes, the shape of the electoral contest has changed in the Kashmir Valley. While we were expecting a direct fight between the INDIA bloc and BJP, in reality, there is no BJP but only their proxies, and our own INDIA bloc partners PDP are fighting against the INDIA bloc.” Omar said that only PDP has broken away from our alliance, while the rest of the INDIA bloc partners like Congress, CPIM, and others are supporting National Conference candidates in the Kashmir Valley.

When asked about the feedback INDIA bloc is receiving from the ground after the culmination of the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the country, Omar Abdullah said, “Rather than my own INDIA bloc’s feedback, I’m surprised by the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The way PM Modi openly targeted the Muslim community in a rally reflects that BJP is worried about the feedback from the first phase of election results.”

He said, “You tell me, the PM who claims to be the representative of 140 crore people of the country and that it’s the government of 140 crore people of the country, now openly targets Muslims, calling us infiltrators, people who produce more children, people who snatch others’ rights. But I haven’t seen any Muslim in the country who asks for more than what they deserve. Is it a crime to ask for our rights? So, the way PM Modi targets Muslims in his speech reflects they aren’t happy with the feedback of the first phase of polls in the country.”

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Omar Abdullah said that “INDIA bloc is looking forward to seeing the end of BJP rule and the formation of a new government in the center at the end of these Lok Sabha Polls.”

When asked whether Jammu and Kashmir will get Article 370 back if INDIA Alliance comes back into power in the Center, Omar Abdullah said, “This will remain an issue, and we expect those parties who supported us over Article 370 will continue to support us, but let’s wait for the results first.”

On the assembly elections of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said that after the recent statements of PM Modi, Home Minister, and Supreme Court, he doesn’t think they have any way to move back on their promise of holding assembly polls in J&K. Omar said, “I’m looking forward to seeing assembly polls in July, August, and September later this year, and the King (LG) who is here will move back to his home.”

Omar also clarified that he isn’t going to fight assembly polls himself until the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir is restored.