Exclusive Interview/ Omar Abdullah, chairperson, National Conference
ELECTIONS TO THE Jammu and Kashmir assembly got over with the third phase of polling on October 1. Former chief minister and chairperson of the National Conference Omar Abdullah appeared confident about the success of the alliance he had with the Congress, although he conceded that the BJP managed to put up a tight fight. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Omar said that the alliance with the Congress was the strongest possible message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling the Awami Ittehad Party and its head, Engineer Rashid, BJP’s proxies, Omar predicted that the AIP would not be able to repeat the success it registered in the Lok Sabha polls. Excerpts:
Q/ What is your assessment after campaigning across Jammu and Kashmir?
A/ The reports are positive, with some closely contested seats. The trend shows that people favoured the National Conference-Congress alliance. The BJP’s attempts to divide and engineer results may not succeed.
Q/ Was this your biggest political test yet?
A/ Every election is a test. The 2002 assembly election was a test. My election as president of the National Conference was a test. The 2004 Parliament election was a test because I contested against Mufti sahib (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed), who was then chief minister. The 2014 Parliament election was a test because I fought it as part of the ruling alliance in the aftermath of the floods in J&K. We knew the mood was against us. We lost all Parliament seats that year, and there was simmering anger against the National Conference. That was a tougher test.
Q/ A lot is riding on your alliance with the Congress.
A/ The National Conference did what it could. We conceded seats to the Congress, where I have no doubt we could have put up a strong fight. But we did it because we believed that an alliance with the Congress was the strongest possible message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir―about an option that did not involve the BJP.
Q/ How crucial could the third phase be in deciding the winner?
A/ It was the phase where the BJP expected to make the most gains. It’s not rocket science―there are 24 seats in the heartland of Jammu where the BJP expects to perform well. We had a few seats in that phase. So, that phase would likely determine what the government will look like.
Q/ You formed an alliance with the Congress, but the PDP (People’s Democratic Party) was not allowed on board.
A/ We never had a pre-poll alliance with the PDP.
Q/ Didn’t the PDP want to be part of the alliance?
A/ If the PDP wanted to be on board, its behaviour should have reflected that. You cannot relentlessly attack the National Conference and then say you want to be part of the alliance.
Q/ You have been calling Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Engineer Rashid a BJP proxy.
A/ What else would you call him? He is unwilling to state that he will not support the BJP. He says his doors are open to everyone. He admitted that he knew Article 370 was going to be revoked back in 2018, but kept quiet for a year. He was released from jail for 20 days to divert votes.
Q/ The AIP called you a bad loser because Rashid defeated you in the parliamentary polls?
A/ I have never lost badly, ever. I have always bounced back. This isn’t about me losing the parliamentary election; it is about the AIP’s motive in contesting these seats. How else do you explain the AIP and the Jamaat coming together? Explain the candidates they have put up. If Rashid is not a proxy for the BJP, explain his choice of candidates.
Q/ But didn’t he lead in 15 of 18 assembly segments in the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency?
A/ By that logic, we led in more than 30 constituencies, so why hold assembly elections at all? Parliament results don’t translate directly into assembly results. I guess Rashid will not repeat his parliamentary performance in this assembly election.
Q/ How many seats will the AIP get?
A/ Even with the Jamaat alliance, it will finish in single digits.
Q/ Did Rashid’s brother approach you before the parliamentary polls?
A/ He offered to support the National Conference, but we declined. I believed Rashid would face retribution from the ruling dispensation, and I didn’t want that on my conscience. Politically, it may not have been the best decision, but I have no regrets.
Q/ How do you look at the Jamaat and other separatists participating in the elections?
A/ That’s what democracy is about. But Jamaat must explain what they have done in the last 35 years. They demonised Sheikh Abdullah for his accord with Indira Gandhi, calling it a sell out. At least he had something to show―there was a signed agreement. What does the Jamaat have to show for the last 35 years?
Q/ But the Jamaat’s participation seems to vindicate the BJP’s claim that the Kashmir problem has been fixed, with separatists now participating in elections.
A/ You need to explain why 75 per cent of the voters in Srinagar did not come out. If the problem is fixed, why is the turnout lower? Why are there encounters in Jammu? The Jamaat is contesting only because it wants its schools and assets freed from the ban.
Q/ Would you allow the PDP on board if you need its support to form the government after the polls?
A/ Let’s not speculate. We will discuss it on October 8.
Q/ How many seats do you think the PDP will get?
A/ Many seats will be closely contested with tight margins. You can’t predict those outcomes.
Q/ You could say the same about the two seats you contested.
A/ One might be close, but the other isn’t.
Q/ Do you believe other parties will align with the BJP after the results, and would the National Conference consider forming a coalition with them?
A/ We had a pre-poll alliance with the Congress to avoid such a scenario. This alliance, Inshallah, will be elected to office.
Q/ You have said that this will be the most disempowered assembly ever. What happens to the hopes and aspirations of the people who voted for your alliance?
A/ People know what kind of assembly they are voting for. Things will change. This assembly will become the assembly of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It will have some power, and that’s a start. The prime minister has committed to restoring statehood. If it doesn’t happen, there is always the Supreme Court.
Q/ Parliament took away the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, and it is superior to the Supreme Court.
A/ No, it is not. Parliament did not announce elections in J&K. The Election Commission of India did, following the Supreme Court’s direction.
Q/ Couldn’t the BJP delay the restoration of statehood, claiming the situation is not right?
A/ The prime minister has committed to restoring statehood and we will ensure the timeline is upheld by the Supreme Court.