The Last Supper?

Can Omar Abdullah save face this time?

- Naseer Ganai in Rafiabad

EVEN before the vice president of the National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah, could speak at a rally on September 26 in Rafiabad, north Kashmir, a local party leader set the tone. Instead of targeting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the NC's traditional rival for the past two decades, the leader chose to direct his criticism at Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid, who is out on bail and has initiated a fierce campaign against the NC.

Rightly so, as the PDP hardly has presence in north Kashmir and Rashid recently defeated Abdullah in the parliamentary elections. Now, Rashid's party is contesting all seats in the region and has intensified its attack on Abdullah.

The NC candidate from Rafiabad, Javed Ahmad Dar, went even further, describing the current political struggle as a battle between the NC and forces intent on erasing Kashmir's identity. "We couldn't send Abdullah to Parliament, and we regret it," said Dar.

In his speech, Abdullah said: "I had sought votes from you during the parliamentary elections, but I didn't get it.