Omar Abdullah's Critical Battle in J&K Bypolls: Internal Party Conflict Amid Statehood Struggle

He connected the removal of Article 370 with the PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah began his campaign efforts in Budgam today, the Assembly constituency he had previously vacated last year. This by-election represents the initial assessment of Abdullah's public support amid accusations from Opposition parties claiming ineffective governance during his previous year in office.

Similar to previous electoral contests, the National Conference (NC) leader continues to employ his anti-BJP position to garner votes, holding the party responsible for stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and statehood.

However, his principal opponent remains the People's Democratic Party (PDP) - the NC's chief competitor in the Valley. The Budgam by-election is generally perceived as a competition between the NC and the PDP, despite several other candidates, including BJP representatives, also participating in the race.

Abdullah characterized the PDP as "dishonest and betrayers of public trust," claiming they won the 2014 elections by promising to prevent BJP's rise, only to form an alliance with them afterward.

"Following elections, we have fulfilled our promise and ensured that the BJP is never permitted to participate in Jammu and Kashmir's government. Unlike those who received your votes in 2014 by claiming to oppose the BJP. They (PDP) joined forces with them shortly after elections and violated your trust," Abdullah stated while addressing a gathering in Budgam.

He also attributed the abrogation of Article 370 to the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister explained he chose imaan (integrity) after the elections by declining to align with the BJP, and labeled the PDP as be-imaan (dishonest) for joining the BJP after soliciting votes to oppose them.

The Chief Minister, who frequently describes himself as powerless under the Union Territory's dual-control governance framework, stated he preferred a temporary political disadvantage rather than compromising his principles by collaborating with the BJP.

"I understand that if I had formed an alliance with the BJP, statehood would have been restored much earlier. But I have chosen integrity. Though restoration of statehood may be delayed, I will never achieve it by partnering with those who took it away from us," Abdullah declared.

Nevertheless, beyond challenges from the PDP and the BJP, Abdullah's greatest obstacle appears to originate within his own party. Aga Ruhullah, a National Conference MP and prominent party representative in Budgam for two decades, has publicly opposed him.

The discord between these two leaders has complicated the Budgam by-election for the NC. In the previous year, Abdullah had secured the Budgam seat with a margin of 18,000 votes.

Having contested from two constituencies, he subsequently vacated Budgam while retaining the Ganderbal seat.

With open opposition from a senior party official, winning Budgam has evolved beyond merely retaining a constituency - it represents a personal prestige battle and a test of Abdullah's authority within the NC.

Aga Ruhullah maintains that his criticism is not anti-party, asserting that he is simply upholding the NC's ideology and commitments made in its election manifesto.

Recently, the disaffected MP even called upon Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to "resign and apologize to the people for failing to deliver on the promises made in the manifesto."

Abdullah is now attempting to reframe the contest as a direct NC versus BJP confrontation - portraying his opponents as participants in a broader conspiracy.