Mumbai, January 15, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that public participation is essential to bringing meaningful change, asserting that democracy can only function effectively when citizens actively exercise their right to vote.
“Change can only be brought by those who are ready to take part. Taking part does not necessarily mean contesting elections. It also means stepping out and using one’s vote,” Abdullah told reporters.
The chief minister was speaking on the sidelines of an event at the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai. His remarks came in response to recent comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who emphasised the importance of voting for a healthy democracy.
Abdullah said that citizens across regions — whether in Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra or Mumbai — face their own challenges, and electoral participation remains the most effective way to address them.
“Ultimately, it is the vote that decides the fate when results are declared,” he said.
Commenting on the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra, Abdullah described the environment as “unusual”, marked by shifting alliances and unexpected partnerships.
“This time, the political environment in Maharashtra has been strange. There were no fixed friends or enemies. Friends became enemies and enemies became friends,” he said.
He pointed to instances where Congress and BJP, BJP and AIMIM, and even factions of the same party came together in different regions.
“What impact all this will have on the election results remains to be seen. Like everyone else, I am also waiting impatiently,” Abdullah added.
Elections are currently underway for Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, making voter participation crucial in shaping local governance.
