Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah says 'more concerned about country's image' as he joins Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah walk with others during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal, some 94 Km from Srinagar in Kashmir, on January 27, 2023. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP)

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday joined congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the final leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Banihal district of the Union Territory.

Abdullah, along with Congress workers and other supporters, who turned up in good numbers in the mountainous district, walked with Rahul Gandhi. The yatra will conclude in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said the Yatra is being conducted to improve the situation in the country. He said he joined the yatra as he was more concerned about the image of the country.

Also read: My heart says Article 370 will be restored: Omar Abdullah

Abdullah, who is also the working president of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, said Rahul did not begin this yatra for personal reasons but because he was concerned over the attempts being made to create communal tensions in the country.

On January 20, when the Yatra entered the politically restive Jammu and Kashmir region, Abdullah's father, Dr Farooq Abdullah, a Member of Parliament and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister travelled to Lakhanpur to receive Rahul Gandhi. He was also accompanied by some senior leaders of the National Conference.

The yatra entered the Jammu and Kashmir amid tight security arrangements in the erstwhile state. For the last leg of the yatra, more than 20 political parties have been invited by the Congress to attend the function in Srinagar on January 30.

Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, has also announced her decision to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Former Jammu and Kashmir state minister, Choudhary Lal Singh, also the president of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan party, had also decided to join the Yatra.

However, it evoked strong reactions from across the state.

Omar Abdullah alleged that Singh was trying to whitewash his past by joining the Yatra. Singh had been dropped from PDP-BJP cabinet after he made a speech in support of culprits of a minor girl's rape and murder in Kathua in January 2018.

Meanwhile, while walking with Gandhi in the Yatra, Omar said that this (BJP) government might be making friends with Arab countries but the fact remains that there is no representative in this government from the largest minority of the country.

"It might be for the first time since Independence that the ruling party does not have a single member of parliament -- either in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha -- from the Muslim community. It shows their attitude, " he added.

Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah said, "We will fight the case for the restoration of Article 370 in the court. The way the government is dragging its feet on the hearing of the petition tells us that our case is very strong."

A large number of people, in the meanwhile, assembled in Banihal to welcome Rahul Gandhi despite the severe cold. From Banihal, the yatra will enter the Kashmir valley through Qazigund and reach Anantnag district's Khanabal area where it will stay for the night.

The yatra started from Kanyakumari on September 7 and entered Jammu and Kashmir via Punjab.

The march will culminate with Gandhi unfurling the national flag at party headquarters in Srinagar and addressing a rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on January 30. (With additional details from agencies)