Srinagar, Jan 10: A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that the INDIA bloc should call it a day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) described the alliance as a “dead horse,” while the J&K Congress leaders refused to comment over the issue.
Omar on Thursday had expressed dismay over INDIA bloc’s uncertain future and had called for clarity on its leadership. “If this alliance was only for the parliamentary elections, it should be wound up, and we will work separately. But if it is meant for Assembly elections as well, we will have to sit together and work collectively,” Omar had said.
Reacting to Omar Abdullah’s statement, BJP’s Organizational Secretary Ashok Koul said, “The INDIA bloc is a dead horse. It was formed to counter BJP but it crumbled under its own weight.”
He said, “What Omar Abdullah is saying is nothing new. The INDIA bloc has already wound up its activities as all its allies are working separately.”
Senior Congress leader and MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat said, “The INDIA bloc was formed by the top opposition leaders in the country. We cannot comment over the issue. It is for the Congress high command to react.”
A senior J&K Congress leader wishing not to be named said, “INDIA bloc is too big an issue for us to comment on it.”
Soon after Omar’s statement on the INDIA bloc, his father and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah had said that the alliance was formed not just to contest elections but was meant for the unity of the country and to remove hatred. “If someone says the alliance is only for the parliamentary poll, it is a misunderstanding,” he had said.
Pertinently, the INDIA bloc was formed as a united front to challenge the BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It saw big gains in the last general election. However, discontent started brewing among alliance members over its vague leadership structure and questions arose over whether Congress, the main opposition party, should be leading the alliance or not. Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also offered to lead the bloc. However, the INDIA bloc leaders have stayed away from each other after the parliamentary elections ended. (KNO)
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