Srinagar, Feb 23 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday dismissed speculation about the leadership of the opposition INDIA bloc, asserting that any decision on the matter will be taken collectively by all constituent parties and not based on individual opinions.
Reacting to remarks made by senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who recently projected Mamta Banerjee as the leader of the alliance, CM Omar said the issue has never been formally discussed within the bloc.
“So far, there has been no such meeting in the INDIA bloc. So, I don’t know where this projection is coming from,” CM Omar told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Gulmarg, as per the news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
“Manishankar Aiyar has given his personal opinion. He has the right to his opinion. No one can say that Manishankar Aiyar does not have the right to express his views. But in the end, when the decision is made, it will be made by the INDIA bloc. Everyone will talk together,” he added.
‘Rahul Gandhi is effectively taking on the BJP’
When asked about the effectiveness of the opposition in competing with the ruling BJP at the national level, CM Omar Abdullah came out in strong support of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
“He always targets the BJP. He targets the BJP and the government on everything. That is the job of the Leader of the Opposition. What more do you want from Rahul Gandhi?” CM Omar asked.
Acknowledging that the Congress may not always have a strong electoral presence in every region, the National Conference leader stressed that the role of the INDIA bloc is to collectively oppose the BJP.
“Now, it is okay that sometimes in the elections, there is no Congress support. But it is the job of the INDIA bloc to oppose the BJP. In that, tell me, what is the lack that Rahul Gandhi has shown?” he added. (KNS
