SRINAGAR (Feb 24, 2026) — In a notable shift in tone, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has come out in strong support of Rahul Gandhi, praising his role as the face of the Opposition and dismissing suggestions for a leadership change within the INDIA bloc.
Key Defense of Leadership
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Consistent Critic: Abdullah lauded Gandhi for being the one leader who has “consistently targeted the BJP” and held the government accountable, stating that this is the fundamental duty of the Opposition.
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Rejecting Aiyar’s Proposal: He brushed aside veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s suggestion that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee should lead the alliance, calling it a “personal opinion” that has never been discussed by the bloc.
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Collective Decision: Abdullah emphasized that any decision regarding leadership can only be made through a collective meeting of alliance members—an agenda item that he confirmed has not yet been raised.
A Change in Stance
This rare praise follows a period of friction. Just months ago, Abdullah had described the INDIA bloc as being on “life support” and had previously criticized the alliance’s handling of issues like “Vote Chori” and EVM concerns.
By questioning what more could be expected from Gandhi given his active opposition to the ruling party, Abdullah signaled a move toward greater unity within the alliance ahead of future political challenges.
