When at the age of 78, Kashmir’s flamboyant politician Dr Farooq Abdullah lost his first ever election in 2014, he was almost written off from the political map of J&K. His loss coupled by losing two other parliamentary seats sent his party in tailspin. With Farooq’s loss, NC lost control over Srinagar strong hold in valley for the first time.

The psychological trauma apart, the NC veteran did not keep well and was later diagnosed with some ‘renal problem.’ He was flown to Britain where his wife lives. Back home, Omar Abdullah, his son was face to face with deluge and then assembly elections.

The rumour mills were hot suggesting varying reports about Dr Abdullah’s health. His party maintained he is doing fine.

No news from Abdullah Sr was a statement about him being not well. Finally the news from Britain was that he borrowed kidney from his wife. Omar’s role changed from chief executive to leader of opposition.

As Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was sworn in as J&K chief minister, Dr Abdullah was recuperating in UK. Finally one sunny day, he was spotted in press enclave with his typical style and quoted to have said: “tiger is back.”

Dr Abdullah had renewed vigour with some saying ‘change of heart as well.’ He making swing started to toe the line of soft separatism, besides he shook a leg with Bollywood celebrities to the extent that he tired them in their own way.

Situation started changing soon and it started with Mufti’s demise. The resignation of Tariq Hameed Karra, the man who defeated him by 42280 votes in 2014, created a space for Abdullah Sr to chip in. In a changed Kashmir, he was the only choice to contest.

As Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was sworn in as J&K chief minister, Dr Abdullah was recuperating in UK. Finally one sunny day, he was spotted in press enclave with his typical style and quoted to have said: “tiger is back.”

Pitted against eight other candidates, the main being PDP’s new entrant Nazir Ahmad Khan, erstwhile congress leader, Dr Abdullah in his election speeches urged people to ‘save religion and even went to extent saying this election is to save Kalima.”

Dr Abdulah at 81, was never seen as an old man. He managed many rallies a day and spoke his heart out. His main motto was “to stop RSS”.

As the polling day came, Kashmir witnessed killings, first in history of electoral politics. Eight deaths, more than 150 injured and many beaten to pulps, Dr Abdullah was hopeful of his victory. Finally he was declared winner in history’s lowest polled elections. He got 48555 votes as his rival; PDP’s Nazir Ahmad Khan secured 37779 only.

Though the constituency had 12.61 lakh votes, quite a few turned up to vote. The total number of votes polled was only 89885. Of this NC took 54.01%, PDP 42.03% and the remaining seven independent candidates took 2619 votes. Interestingly 932 NOTA votes were counted.

His favourite ghazal suits him best today where he sings, ‘aaj jaane ki zid na karo’. Dr Abdullah finally is back to be part of Lok Sabha where his last stint was when he was polled 147035 votes and emerged winner. This time he goes to the Lok Sabha with a few thousand more votes than the margin with which he lost in 2014. He got 54% of the polled votes which was 7.12% of 12.61 lakh. There were murmurs in his party that he may resign because his win is no victory but it seems he has decided against it.

(Tasavur Mushtaq)

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