Have J&K floods wash away Omar's chances of coming back to power ?

The life is slowly returning to normalcy in flood-devastated Kashmir but the pain and agony still afresh in the minds of the locals who have lost their precious ones in the floods, the worst in the State in over a century.

The armed forces are being appreciated for their heroic act during the relief operation but the State Government is at forefront of the locals. The Omar Abdullah Government is being accused of missing in action from the scene of the tragedy. The development could hamper Omar Abdullah-led NC's hope of repeat mandate in ensuing Assemly polls.

Locals not happy with State Government's role

Undoubtedly, there is widespread anger among the locals over Government's absence from the scene during the floods. The locals say that they were caught in floods for many days but did not receive any support from the State Government. They are infuriated over State Government's role in handling the rescue operations.

Omar Government's six-year term expires on 4 January, 2015.

According to reports, presently, most of the relief work is being coordinated and monitored by a central team of Union Home Ministry. While, the seriousness on State Government's front in handling the whole relief operation could be accessed from the fact that its control room is lying disfunctional in the time of crisis. The State Government's control room which is located at Gupkar Road does not have a telephone connectivity for the people to contact with officials.
Due tothe failed approach in handling the rescue operations, the Government and its officials are at butt of public anger. Sensing the same, the senior officials are now moving in taxis instead of their Government cars to avoid public wrath.

Has Omar-led NC scripted its defeat?

Instead of extending a helping hand to the public, CM Omar Abdullah and his Legislatives had literally gone into hiding. None of them was seen into action during the floods. This at a time when other political parties were desperately trying to join the Army and other agencies in their rescue operations.
In order to save himself from the angry public mood, Omar criticised Central Government's approach in handling the relief operations. He tried to pass the responsibility of handling the aftermath of floods to Modi Government.
Such lackadiscal approach of the National Conference Government ahead of the Assembly polls is not a good sign for the party. The State will soon go to polls as Omar Government's six-year term expires on 4 January, 2015.

Inept handling of floods could be a spoiler to Omar's ambitions

The NC formed Government with Congress support in January, 2009, at that time Omar was seen as a ray of hope by the youth to bring the State out of the quagmire that has dogged it since eruption of militancy. But, the Government getting flak for its inept handling of floods could be a spoiler to Omar's ambitions of making a comeback.
The party is also facing a huge anti-incumbency. With this, the rising of BJP and an assertive PDP could further make the task of Omar and National Confernce more difficult to make a comeback.