Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the INDIA alliance is “on life support”, warning that decisions taken without consensus have weakened the bloc ahead of upcoming elections.
Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Abdullah, as per the news agency, said the Bihar election outcome exposed organisational and coordination gaps within the alliance. “Either we are a bloc, or we are not,” he said, stressing that decisions must be taken collectively if the INDIA alliance wants to offer a national alternative to the BJP.
Abdullah said pushing constituents out of the seat-sharing framework in Bihar disrupted unity among alliance partners. “Look at Bihar. We consciously pushed one constituent out of the India bloc. If tomorrow that leader leaves, who is responsible?” he asked.
Referring to the handling of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, he added, “The entire thing with Hemant Soren and JMM was a disaster.”
Omar said the bloc must decide whether it functions as a national platform or merely as state-specific alliances. “If we call ourselves a bloc, we must act like one. Otherwise, we are just stitching different alliances state by state," he said.
Contrasting the INDIA bloc’s internal gaps with the BJP’s electoral strategy, the J&K CM said the ruling party has constructed an unmatched election machinery. “They fight every election as if their lives depend on it, from a club election to the election of the President,” he said.
According to him, the BJP immediately shifts its focus to the next state once polling ends, while opposition parties “begin preparations two months before voting”.
Abdullah said the opposition should draw lessons from the BJP’s discipline rather than dismissing its success as purely resource-driven. “They also have an incredible work ethic. It is possible to replicate some of what they do,” he said.
He rejected suggestions that his working relationship with the Centre indicates any alliance with the BJP. “We maintain a working relationship because we have a responsibility toward the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It doesn’t mean we are joining hands with the BJP,” he said.
Omar said the National Conference will continue to pursue the demand for restoration of statehood and a voice in security-related decisions.
The Chief Minister further said recent election patterns show that Muslim voters are no longer guaranteed support bases for any party. “The Muslim voter has clearly said that you cannot take us for granted,” he said. “They want someone who will espouse their cause for five years, not five months before elections.”
“If leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi are gaining ground, it is because voters have found someone who speaks for them 365 days a year,” Omar said.(KNO)