Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah clarified on Thursday that his party remains a member of the Opposition INDIA bloc, emphasising the objective of defeating the BJP.
This statement follows National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah's earlier declaration that the party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently.
Omar Abdullah explained that discussions were ongoing with the Congress regarding a potential arrangement in three out of the six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He affirmed, "We were a part of the INDIA alliance and we still are. Things have been taken out of context. The main idea of the grouping is to defeat the BJP because there is no point sailing in two boats," reported PTI.
Acknowledging the desire of National Conference workers to contest in all six seats, Omar Abdullah stressed that sometimes, for a greater objective, small sacrifices must be made. He highlighted the necessity for his party to engage in a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress if the broader goal is to regain seats from the BJP.
The National Conference is a member of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, a coalition of 28 Opposition parties planning to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the upcoming general elections.
Farooq Abdullah had announced on Thursday that the National Conference would contest the elections independently. He said, "As far as seat sharing is concerned, I want to make it clear that the National Conference will contest elections on its own strength. There are no two opinions about it. There should be no questions on this anymore."
This declaration came three days after the Enforcement Directorate summoned Farooq Abdullah for questioning in a money-laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.
Farooq Abdullah expressed his lack of fear towards the Enforcement Directorate, stating, "I am not scared of the Enforcement Directorate. If they think that by arresting me they can finish the National Conference… the National Conference is a movement. It is not run by some Farooq Abdullah’s favour."