Lok Sabha Polls: Omar Abdullah To Take On BJP In North Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah From Baramulla

Farooq Abdullah, the president of the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), announced on Friday that Omar Abdullah would be the party's candidate from North Kashmir in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The party's vice president and former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, will contest from the Baramulla parliamentary constituency, while senior leader Ruhullah Mehdi will be the candidate from the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.

After the announcement, Omar Abdullah stated, "It has been decided that I will be contesting from North Kashmir because BJP is focusing a lot on North Kashmir. I want these powers to be defeated in North Kashmir."

"My fight is not against an individual, it is against the skullduggery, treachery, and the political machinations of the BJP," he added.

This marks Omar Abdullah's first contest in the Lok Sabha polls since 2009. He is also shifting from his previous stance post-Article 370 abrogation, vowing not to contest until J-K regains statehood.

The Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, covering 18 assembly segments, is expected to be a closely watched contest due to changes in electoral dynamics post-delimitation. Peoples Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone poses a significant challenge to the National Conference (NC) in what is largely seen as a direct contest for the seat. The NC candidate is relying on Shia support in areas like Budgam, Beerwah, and Bandipora, among others, to bolster his campaign.

Delimitation in 2019 expanded the constituency to include two Shia-dominated assembly seats from Budgam district, among others, altering the electoral landscape. Previous elections saw NC dominate the seat, while the Congress and PDP have also secured victories. Independents like Sheikh Abdul Rashid, currently in NIA custody, remain influential in segments like Langate, where his party plans to field him despite his detention.