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| Omar backs Rahul, says no leadership rift in INDIA block | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 23: Amid speculation over a possible leadership change within the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came out strongly in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting that he is effectively discharging his duties as Leader of the Opposition. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, Abdullah dismissed speculation that Mamata Banerjee might be considered for leadership of the INDIA alliance. He said no such discussion had taken place in any formal meeting of the bloc.
“I don’t know where these rumours are coming from. So far, there has been no discussion about leadership in any INDIA Alliance meeting,” he said.
Abdullah’s party, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, is a constituent of the INDIA alliance. His remarks came in response to recent comments by senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who in Kolkata suggested that the Congress should consider handing over leadership of the alliance to a regional party leader and proposed Banerjee’s name.
Reacting to Aiyar’s statement, Abdullah said it reflected a personal opinion to which he was entitled, but emphasised that any decision regarding leadership would be taken collectively by the alliance partners.
Backing Gandhi, Abdullah questioned what more critics expected from him in his role as Leader of the Opposition. He said Gandhi has consistently targeted the BJP and held the government to account on a range of issues — responsibilities that define the role.
While acknowledging that the Congress does not always achieve electoral success, Abdullah stressed that the primary responsibility of the INDIA alliance is to challenge the BJP and ensure government accountability. In that context, he asked, what exactly has Rahul Gandhi fallen short of? |
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