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| Omar takes U-turn, says facing pressure to contest Assembly polls | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 16: After repeatedly announcing not to contest Assembly elections before the restoration of statehood, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that he was facing pressure from his party colleagues to reconsider his decision of not contest polls.
Omar Abdullah hinted at a possible change in his earlier decision not to contest the upcoming Assembly elections. On Friday, he revealed that he is under significant pressure from his party to reconsider his stance. Omar's statement came shortly after Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the dates for the highly anticipated Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “I had previously stated that I would not participate in the Assembly elections, but now I am facing pressure from my party leaders to rethink that decision,” Omar Abdullah told the media following the election date announcement.
He further explained that the concern stems from the health of his father, National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who is elderly and not in good condition. "If I choose not to contest, my father may be compelled to enter the electoral fray, which is why party leaders are urging me to reconsider my earlier decision," Omar added.
Signaling a potential shift in his stance, Omar said, “While I have been firm in my decision not to contest, I will now discuss the matter with my party colleagues and Dr. Farooq Abdullah before making a final decision.”
Earlier on June 10 Omar Abdullah said that it would be humiliating for him to enter the Assembly of the Union Territory.
Omar clarified, “I won't contest the Assembly elections. While I'll actively support my party and lead the campaign, I won't seek a seat in the Union Territory's Assembly.”
He emphasized his commitment to the party's victory in the assembly elections.
Omar Abdullah further expressed his determination to advocate for the full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and the restoration of its previous status. He stated, "Only after achieving full statehood, if feasible, will I consider entering the Assembly to contribute."
Omar added, “I won't subject myself to humiliation by joining the Assembly of the Union Territory.”
In 2022, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah had announced that Omar Abdullah would not contest Assembly elections until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored. Farooq reiterated that Omar had made it clear he would not participate in elections until statehood is reinstated.
In 2020, following his release from prolonged detention, Omar Abdullah declared that he would not contest Assembly elections as long as Jammu and Kashmir remained a Union Territory. He argued that he had been a leader of a state with one of the most empowered assemblies in the country and could not be part of what he now views as one of the most disempowered assemblies. |
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