On Tuesday morning, Omar Abdullah went for a run, even as his party anxiously awaited the results of the Jammu and Kashmir elections. In an interview with India Today TV, he candidly shared how he nearly skipped his routine due to a “jinx” he associated with his morning runs.
The National Conference (NC) emerged victorious in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, exceeding even Abdullah’s own expectations. Following a defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, he had his doubts about the Assembly polls. However, he started the day of the vote counting with a morning run and humorously broke what he called a “jinx,” as his party celebrated its success.
In a light-hearted moment during the interview, Abdullah reflected on his decision to run despite his superstitions. “The last time I ran on counting day, I lost. I was in two minds about doing it again. I told myself that if I run today and lose, I will never run again; but if I skip it, I have to break this jinx. So, I went for a run and I still won, which means I can keep running in the future,” he said.
The National Conference, led by his father Farooq Abdullah, secured 42 out of 90 seats, solidifying its status as the leading political force in the region. The Congress, an ally of the NC, gained six seats, while the BJP won 29 seats and Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP managed only three.
Abdullah acknowledged that the extent of his party’s success was surprising. “I didn’t expect us to return with this many seats,” he remarked. “It’s a humbling verdict that reminds us of the work we still need to do in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He stressed the importance of unity in addressing the division of votes between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu. “The incoming government must ensure it serves all the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not just the winning alliance,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, Abdullah expressed hope for the restoration of statehood, stating, “We’ve had delimitation and elections, and now statehood must follow. We expect the new government to remind the Centre of this commitment.”
Reflecting on his earlier Lok Sabha defeat to Engineer Rashid, Abdullah admitted it was challenging. “It wasn’t easy; there was a lot of self-doubt and turmoil. However, I had people around me who supported and lifted my spirits. Thankfully, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given us a mandate, and now it’s our responsibility to honor that mandate,” he said.
As the National Conference prepares to form the next government, Abdullah remains focused on establishing a constructive relationship with the Centre. “Jammu and Kashmir has unique challenges, and we need to avoid an antagonistic relationship with the Union government,” he concluded.
