He started his own blog, which received maximum response from the youth of Kashmir, and Omar used this forum to reach out to them and take their constructive suggestions for inclusion in his party's manifesto.
Scion of Kashmir's first political family, Omar started his political career as a Lok Sabha member in 1998 and was re-elected a year later. He went on to become the youngest Union minister at the age of 29 under the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He served as Union Minister of State, Commerce and Industry in the National Democratic Alliance government. After two years, he was made the Union Minister of State for External Affairs.
After NC snapped ties with NDA in 2002, Omar, the grandson of Kashmir's tallest leader Sheikh Abdullah, was handed over the party's mantle by his ageing father. It was baptism by fire for Omar as he took over the reins of the party just ahead of the assembly polls of 2002.
Even though NC emerged as the single largest party in the polls, it was a dismal start for Omar personally at the state level as he lost from the family stronghold of Ganderbal in the Valley.
Image: Omar waves to his supporters during a ceremony in Jammu on January 4
Photograph: Amit Gupta/Reuters
Also see: Second homecoming for Omar Abdullah
Advertisement
