GULMARG, February 23, 2026 : Amid speculation over a possible leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, Omar Abdullah on Monday firmly rallied behind Rahul Gandhi, asserting that he has been effectively discharging his duties as the Leader of the Opposition by consistently taking the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to task.
Responding to queries about reports suggesting that a section of the INDIA bloc is projecting Mamata Banerjee as a potential opposition leader, Abdullah clarified that no meeting or discussion has taken place within the alliance on the issue.
“So, I don’t know where this is being projected,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, adding that his party, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, remains a committed constituent of the INDIA bloc.
Leadership Decision Lies with the Alliance
Commenting on remarks made by senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who suggested that regional parties should lead the opposition alliance and named Banerjee as a possible choice, Abdullah said the views were personal.
“He has the right to his opinion. No one can say he doesn’t have the right to speak his mind,” Abdullah said, but emphasised that any leadership decision will be taken collectively by the INDIA bloc.
He reiterated that no formal discussion on leadership has occurred in any INDIA bloc meeting so far.
Strong Defence of Rahul Gandhi
Mounting a robust defence of Rahul Gandhi, Abdullah challenged critics to specify what more they expect from the Leader of the Opposition.
“Tell me, what has Rahul Gandhi lacked in competing against the BJP?” he asked.
“He is consistently the one person who targets the BJP and holds the government accountable on every issue. That is the job of the Leader of the Opposition. What more do you want from Rahul Gandhi?”
While acknowledging that electoral outcomes may not always favour the Congress, Abdullah stressed that the core responsibility of the INDIA bloc is to oppose the BJP and hold the government accountable, a role he said Gandhi has fulfilled effectively.
“In that regard, can someone tell me what Rahul Gandhi has lacked?” he added.
