As Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polls, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah criticizes the Centre’s decision to invite foreign diplomats to observe the elections. He asserts that these elections are an internal matter, stating, “We do not need their certificate.” This reflects a sentiment that external validation is unnecessary for local democracy.
Voting is underway for 26 seats across six districts. This marks the first assembly elections in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Abdullah highlights that, despite government attempts to undermine the process, citizens are showing resilience. “The people of J-K are not voting because they are happy with the government; they are participating despite its efforts to harass them,” he stated.
After casting his vote, Abdullah raised a critical question: “If India doesn’t want foreign interference, then why invite them here?” He challenges the inconsistency of the government’s actions, especially since foreign journalists were barred from covering the elections. He described the diplomats’ visit as a “guided tour,” arguing it undermines the authenticity of democracy.
Abdullah’s optimism is evident as he reflects on the enthusiastic political rallies. “Regardless of the party, the enthusiasm has been encouraging,” he remarked. He hopes this fervor will translate into voter turnout. Every phase of the election is crucial, both for him and the region.
Regarding recent claims by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti about voting irregularities, Abdullah dismissed these allegations. He suggested that the PDP is facing dwindling support, especially after Muntazir Mohiuddin withdrew from the Budgam race to back him.
On Rahul Gandhi‘s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah sees it as a positive development. However, he urges the Congress to focus more on Jammu. He believes the party’s actions in this region will have a greater impact than their efforts in Kashmir.
As the elections unfold, Abdullah’s reflections highlight the complex political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. With the nation’s eyes on this pivotal moment, the outcomes could reshape the region’s politics and redefine the relationship between the people and their government.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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