“If an actor makes his children actors, does he have to take votes? We have to take votes”

Srinagar, Apr 13: Farooq Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference, has responded to allegations of dynasty politics in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that his party’s leadership is determined by electoral victories rather than familial lineage. He questioned the notion of dynasty, pointing out that individuals in various professions often pass down their occupations to their children without facing scrutiny over their legitimacy.

As per news agency, while addressing the issue, Farooq Abdullah emphasized, “We do not come from dynasties, but from elections… Are the people of his party (BJP) not from the dynasty?… If an industrialist makes his children industrialists, then does he have to take votes? If an actor makes his children actors, does he have to take votes? We have to vote, meet people and work for them, so how can this be dynasty politics?”

The Srinagar parliamentary constituency, historically a stronghold of the National Conference led by the Abdullah family, has seen multiple generations of the family elected to represent the region. Farooq Abdullah’s son, Omar Abdullah, has won from this seat three times, following in the footsteps of his father and grandmother, who also served as Members of Parliament from Srinagar.

As the political landscape heats up in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference has nominated Agha Ruhula, a prominent Shia leader and former minister, as its candidate for the Srinagar parliamentary seat. Additionally, Omar Abdullah, serving as the party’s Vice President, will contest from the North Kashmir parliamentary seat, further highlighting the party’s commitment to electoral participation and representation—(KNO)