| Mortally afraid of Modi, Omar urges UPA to provide a credible alternative | | Upcoming general election | | Rustam
Jammu, Oct 12: NC working president and J&K CM Omar Abdullah is mortally afraid of Narendra Modi factor in the Indian political situation. The Modi factor has unnerved Omar Abdullah to the extent that he had on October 10 urged the Congress-led UPA of which the NC is also a part to recognize the Modi factor and evolve an effective poll strategy that could counter this factor and help the UPA inflict a defeat on the BJP. In fact, that day, he gave interview to a leading national English language daily and told the correspondent that "I think it would be foolish for us (UPA constituents) to ignore the Modi factor". "In fact, it would be a dangerous mistake," he said.
"Six months ago if you had asked me I would have said the Modi factor would have no effect at all, but today it would be foolish on may part to do that. Modi has galvanized the cadre and there is an expectation even in Jammu that they (the BJP) would return to power under Modi. A galvanized cadre can be a make or break factor in an election," he also said.
It was clear from his interview that he, unlike many Congress leaders in the State and New Delhi, has felt the political pulse of the people of Jammu province. He is not just Chief Minister. He also holds the Home portfolio and, hence, he knows in which direction the wind is blowing. However, it has to be acknowledged that he publicly appreciated the impact of Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on the Indian political scene and what he said two days ago only suggested that it would be extremely difficult for the UPA candidates to repeat 2009 in 2014 in Jammu province. |
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