In Ganderbal, Omar Abdullah's sons join him in poll campaign

As former Chief Minister’s and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah is facing a tough battle in the Ganderbal constituency of Central Kashmir, from where he is contesting, his town sons Zamir Abdullah and Zahir Abdullah have embarked on a campaign mission.

Omar is contesting from two assembly seats in Central Kashmir — Ganderbal and Budgam.

In Ganderbal, the family bastion of Abdullahs, Omar faces jailed cleric and pro separatist Sarjan Barkati. On Sunday, both Zahir and Zamir travelled to Ganderbal to campaign for their father.

Zamir said the Abdullah family’s deep-rooted connection with Ganderbal dates back to his great-grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, who began his political career here. He also spoke about the importance of connecting with every household in the constituency and delivering the party’s manifesto.

Addressing the workers, Zahir said the last decade, especially the last five years, have been difficult for Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “If you do not cast a vote for NC and Congress, all other votes are going to the Centre. We will have to join hands to win this battle.”

While both of Omar’s sons have not joined active politics yet, they accompany father Omar Abdullah in all the political events and rallies. They also take potshots at the BJP on social media.

Zahir Abdullah on X questioned former NC leader and now in BJP, Devender Rana, who said that if “daily wagers are not regularised within 10 days of (BJP) government formation,” he will resign.

“What exactly stopped you these last 10 years considering the entire administration was under your control? What they could not do in 10 years, they promised to do in 10 days,” said Zahir on X. He added, “This reflects the approach and intention of the government while dealing with Jammu and Kashmir.”

Zamir is also following his brother. Commenting on a post in which BJP leader Ram Madhav said the party needed only 10 seats in Kashmir, Zamir wrote, “The divide and rule policy was utilised by the British to imprison and rule over us. Today this very tactic and policy is being used by the Centre to silence the voices coming from Jammu and Kashmir. Putting up proxy candidates to divide and dilute the voice of the people,” he said.

Omar’s sons campaigning for the assembly election are not the only scions that are politically involved in the National Conference. At least six sons of NC leaders are set to contest in the assembly polls on NC tickets. From the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, would also jump into the election fray this time around.