Militant Attacks Backlash to Chest Thumping About Turnout: Omar Abdullah to NDTV | Read

As Jammu and Kashmir heads for the third phase of polling in the shadow of multiple terror attacks, the state's chief minister says there has been a backlash to the what he calls chest thumping over the high turnout in the first two phases. Speaking to NDTV on the campaign trail, Mr Abdullah said it was like going into a tiger's cage and pulling its tail. He said the euphoria should have waited till all phases of polling are over. Ruling out any chance of an alliance with the BJP, Mr Abdullah said that a tie-up had become impossible especially after the recent abusive comments by minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti. Omar Abdullah called the Prime Minister a canny politician and marketer, but refused to comment on Rahul Gandhi. When quizzed about his political skills, Rahul, whom the Chief Minister calls a personal friend, had recently attacked the Abdullah government for being weak and ineffective, something Omar says made him feel bad.