Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has publicly distanced his party, the National Conference (NC), from the recent allegations of 'vote chori' or vote theft levelled by the Congress party. He asserted that the Congress is free to pursue its own political agenda, which is distinct from that of the opposition INDIA alliance.
Congress Agenda Separate from INDIA Bloc, Says Omar
Omar Abdullah made these remarks on December 16, 2025, in Srinagar, while responding to questions about the Congress's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. The rally targeted the ruling BJP with accusations of electoral fraud. When asked for his opinion as an alliance partner, the Chief Minister was clear: "The INDIA Alliance has nothing to do with it."
He elaborated that every political party has the autonomy to decide its political focus. "Now the Congress has made SIR and vote chori its main political issue, it's ok," Omar stated. "Who are we to tell them that they shouldn't do it? We will choose our issues, they will choose theirs."
Background of Alliance and Political Nuances
This statement highlights the nuanced dynamics within the INDIA bloc. Both the National Conference and the Congress are part of this opposition coalition and had jointly contested the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. However, the Congress chose to stay out of the government formed under Omar Abdullah's leadership.
The Congress's rally, titled 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod', saw top leaders launching a fierce attack on the BJP and the Election Commission. They alleged that "vote chori" is in the ruling party's DNA and labelled its leaders as "gaddar" (traitors) conspiring to undermine voting rights. The party claims to have gathered approximately six crore signatures against this alleged vote theft, which it plans to present to the President of India.
Implications for Opposition Unity
Omar Abdullah's comments underscore a strategy of maintaining a distinct political identity while being part of a larger alliance. By clarifying that the Congress's campaign is not an INDIA bloc agenda, he seeks to delineate the National Conference's stance from that of its national partner.
This move is significant as it reflects the balancing act regional parties often perform in national alliances. It allows the NC to maintain its specific regional focus and political narrative in Jammu and Kashmir, without being entirely subsumed by the national issues championed by the Congress. The development points to the flexible and sometimes fragmented nature of opposition unity against the dominant ruling party at the centre.
