Omar Abdullah Criticizes Mehbooba Mufti-Led PDP, Labels It BJP’s ‘C Team’
Omar Abdullah, a leader from the National Conference (NC), has criticized the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Calling it the ‘C team’ of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Abdullah’s remark came after BJP leader Mushtaq Bukhari made a public appeal. To the Pahari community to support Mehbooba Mufti in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Abdullah suggested that the call to support Mufti is indicative of a deeper alliance between the PDP and the BJP, despite their outward opposition. He urged voters to support the INDIA alliance. Which includes the NC, to counter the BJP’s influence in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah stated, “If we want to defeat the BJP and other forces spreading poison across the country. People should vote for INDIA alliance candidates on all five seats in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added that other parties, including PDP, have ties to the BJP and could be seen as part of its ‘A,’ ‘B,’ or ‘C’ teams. He also predicted that Mehbooba Mufti would seek to have Mushtaq Bukhari’s statement retracted.
Omar Abdullah commented on BJP’s decision to replace its sitting Ladakh MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, with Tashi Gyalson. He suggested that the NC and Congress, which are part of the INDIA alliance, would field a candidate to ensure the BJP doesn’t win the Ladakh seat. “The right candidate should be fielded by Congress on the Ladakh seat as we are fighting together. We’ll try to ensure that BJP has no chance of winning,” he said.
Omar Abdullah Criticizes Mehbooba Mufti-Led PDP, Labels It BJP’s ‘C Team’
Tashi Gyalson, who is replacing Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, has been associated with the BJP for some time and served in various roles, including as a former party general secretary in Ladakh and as a councillor from the Lingshed constituency.
He previously held the position of chairman and chief executive councillor of the 6th Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. Gyalson joined the BJP after the collapse of the BJP-PDP coalition government in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, having previously been a member of the PDP.
The Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir is taking place in phases, with Udhampur already polling on April 19. And Jammu, Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar, and Baramulla scheduled for April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20, respectively.
Counting of votes is expected to be completed by June 4. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in a split of seats between BJP and National Conference, with three seats each. However, after the abrogation of Article 370. The former state was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Leading to changes in electoral boundaries and representation.