Omar Abdullah Distances INDIA Bloc from Congress's 'Vote Chori' Campaign

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on Monday clarified that the “vote chori” (vote theft) issue is solely being pursued by the Congress party and that the INDIA bloc has no involvement in it.

Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister emphasised the autonomy of political parties in setting their agendas. “Every political party is at liberty to set its own agenda. The Congress has made 'vote chori' and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) its main issues. Who are we to tell them not to do it? We will choose our issues, let them choose theirs," he stated.

His comments come amid the Congress party's intensified campaign alleging electoral manipulation, including a major rally in Delhi the previous day where leaders accused the BJP and the Election Commission (EC) of colluding in voter deletions through the SIR process.

Abdullah, who also serves as vice president of the J&K National Conference (NC)—a constituent of the INDIA bloc—has previously distanced himself from certain alliance positions and expressed disappointment over its performance. In contrast, his father and NC president Farooq Abdullah has been a vocal supporter of the bloc on various issues.

The Chief Minister stressed that ongoing power projects in the Union Territory are of national importance and urged law enforcement to act against any obstructions. His comments followed allegations by a senior official of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), executing the 850-MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project in eastern Kishtwar district, that local BJP MLA Shagun Parihar and supporters interfered by pressuring for illegitimate contracts and recruitment, warning of potential withdrawal if disruptions continue.

“There should be no political interference; it must be taken seriously,” Abdullah said. He noted that if similar accusations targeted one of his ministers, the Anti-Corruption Bureau would have raided by now, and alleged two opposition MLAs are interfering in multiple Kishtwar projects. He also highlighted that key departments, including the Power Development Corporation, remain outside the elected government's control despite him holding the power portfolio.

The Ratle project, a run-of-river plant on the Chenab river in Kishtwar’s Drabshalla village, is implemented by a joint venture between NHPC Limited and JKSPDC, with construction by MEIL.

Responding to questions about the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filing a chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack case, Chief Minister Abdullah stressed that the legal process should be allowed to run its course. “As the investigation has been conducted and the chargesheet is being filed, the decision will now be taken by the court. There is a law to determine guilt or innocence, and that responsibility lies with the judiciary,” he said.

Reiterating his longstanding position, he said, “Whenever any action is taken or any employee is terminated, it should be left to the court. In the Pahalgam case, the NIA’s role was to investigate, and that investigation has now been completed. The chargesheet will be presented before the court.”

The chargesheet pertains to the April 22 deadly terrorist attack in the Baisaran valley meadow near Pahalgam in Anantnag district, where gunmen, believed to be Lashkar-e-Taiba members, killed 26 people—mostly tourists—and injured several others. The attackers targeted visitors in the popular scenic spot, marking one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in recent years.

Regarding tourism revival, the Chief Minister said J&K relies heavily on good snowfall in destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, while efforts continue otherwise. On rising airfares, he called national capping efforts a failure, citing the IndiGo incident and lack of effective remedies.

Condemning the December 14 terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed at least 15 during a Hanukkah event, Abdullah said. “Innocent people were killed—no religion allows that. I salute the brave man who risked his life to disarm the assailant and saved many.”