Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Omar Abdullah affirms commitment to INDIA Bloc amid solo contest declaration

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah offered clarification regarding his party's position following a statement by NC leader Farooq Abdullah indicating the party's intention to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir independently. Omar Abdullah emphasized that the National Conference remains a part of the INDIA bloc, emphasizing the group's primary objective to counter the BJP.

"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 in sailing in two boats," Omar stated.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Talks with Congress for seat sharing

Contrary to Farooq Abdullah's announcement of independent contesting, Omar Abdullah revealed ongoing discussions with the Congress regarding three out of six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

“NC workers want to fight elections on all six seats but the truth is that sometimes for a bigger objective, small sacrifices have to be made… If the bigger objective is to win seats back from the BJP, it is necessary for the National Conference to enter into a seat sharing understanding with the Congress. Our doors are open," he elaborated.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Farooq Abdullah's independent contest declaration

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, declared that the NC would independently contest all seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. His announcement followed summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged cricket scam.

"I am under the ED scanner. I will appear before them, I am not scared of the ED or anyone else. Let them do what they want. If they think they can finish off the National Conference by jailing Farooq Abdullah, it will not happen because the National Conference is a movement," Farooq Abdullah asserted regarding the ED summons.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Lok Sabha seats and political landscape

The Lok Sabha seats in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh include Baramulla, Srinagar, Anantnag, Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh. Among these, three seats in the valley - Baramulla, Srinagar, and Anantnag - are under NC's influence, while the rest are held by the BJP.

The dynamics of seat sharing and independent contesting reveal the intricate political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir as parties prepare for the forthcoming elections.