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‘Wind up alliance if…’: Omar Abdullah slams ‘lack of clarity’ on leadership in INDIA bloc

Omar Abdullah said that perhaps a meeting of the INDIA alliance could be convened after the Delhi Assembly elections, providing some much-needed direction and clarity regarding main leadership, the party, its agenda and future strategy.

Omar Abdullah said no meeting of the INDIA bloc is being convened. (File)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a striking critique of the INDIA bloc’s uncertain future, called for clarity on its leadership and agenda on Thursday ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah expressed disappointment at the lack of progress and questioned whether the alliance was meant to endure beyond the parliamentary elections.

“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,” Abdullah, 54, said.

His remarks came amid speculation fuelled by statements from other bloc members, including a leader from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), suggesting that the alliance was only designed for the Lok Sabha elections last year.

“As far as I remember, no time limit was set for this. The issue is that no meeting of the INDIA bloc is being convened,” Omar Abdullah added, lamenting the absence of clarity on leadership and a cohesive strategy.

Abdullah said that perhaps a meeting of the alliance could be convened after the Delhi Assembly elections, providing some much-needed direction and clarity regarding main leadership, the party, its agenda and future strategy. However, he was critical of the delay, suggesting that it undermined the bloc’s relevance and cohesion.

“Whether this alliance will continue is also unclear,” the National Conference leader said.

#WATCH | Jammu: J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, “… I cannot say anything about what’s going on in Delhi because we have nothing to do with Delhi Elections… As far as I remember, there was no time limit to the INDIA alliance. Unfortunately, no INDIA alliance meeting is being… pic.twitter.com/u9w9FazeJG

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2025

Responding to a query on the rising support for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of next month’s Delhi elections, Abdullah distanced himself from the three-cornered fight between AAP, Congress and BJP.

“I cannot say anything about this at the moment because we have no involvement with Delhi polls. The Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and other political parties on the ground will decide how to compete with the BJP strongly,” he said.

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He acknowledged AAP’s past electoral successes in Delhi but refrained from making predictions. “AAP succeeded twice in Delhi previously. This time, we will have to wait and see what the people of Delhi decide,” he remarked.

The INDIA bloc, formed as a united front to challenge the BJP, 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. Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also offered to lead the bloc.

(With inputs from PTI)

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