Omar Abdullah’s two lawyer sons have been making powerful political statements of late.
New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has poked fun at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism of dynastic politics, saying political pedigree is not a “lifetime ticket” to success and wonders why the ruling party has not raised the issue with its allies. questioned. He is accused of perpetuating a dynasty.
In an exclusive interview with PTI on Friday, Prime Minister Abdullah asked whether the fourth generation of his family will enter politics, and if so, whether the Nationalist Congress Party or other opposition parties will seek new guidance against perpetuating dynastic politics as they have been doing so far. He answered a question about whether he would be exposed to criticism.
Abdullah’s two lawyer sons have recently made powerful political statements, particularly on the issue of abrogating Article 370 of the constitution, which stripped Kashmiris of their special status, an emotional issue for Kashmiris. They campaigned extensively with their father in September’s parliamentary elections.
“Whatever space they choose to carve out, they have to create it themselves. No one is going to give them anything on a plate,” Abdullah said. His grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, is considered the founding father of the post-independent state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah returned to the post for a second time in October, after his father, Farooq Abdullah, also served as prime minister for decades.
“Belonging to a political family is not a lifetime ticket to success. And I don’t need to point to anyone else. I only want to speak for myself. I lost this year’s election,” he said. He mentioned the loss of the election. in parliamentary elections earlier this year.
However, he ran for office in the parliamentary elections in September and won. “I’m the same person, the same family, the same political party,” he said.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism of dynastic politics was mere political hypocrisy.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be opposing political dynasties only when it suits them. They have no problem with dynastic politics among their allies,” he said.
“There is no need to point out the number of dynastic alliances that the BJP has or has had in the past or will have in the future. Therefore, I have always maintained that the BJP does not have problems with political families. They have problems with political families who are against the BJP,” he said.
From the Bharatiya Janata Party’s perspective, politicians are neither dynasty nor corrupt “once they become allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said. Asked whether he would continue to provide guidance and political advice to his sons Zamir and Zahir, Abdullah, 54, said: “As elected officials, we are basically glorified day laborers.” “We are here today, and we will continue to be.” Probably won’t be there tomorrow. ”
He then gave his example and said that his party and he were elected in 2014. “We were forced out of power in 2018 and couldn’t come back until 2024, so we need something (income and occupation) to step back.” On,” he said.
He pointed to similarities with other fields, such as acting and sports, and emphasized that the initial benefits of family ties quickly fade.
“Some people will recognize you at first, but if you can’t perform, no one will support you,” he says.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
