Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 25: It’s official now, National Conference (NC) Vice President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Ganderbal constituency.
This announcement was made on Sunday by NC leaders Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Nasir Aslam Wani in the presence of Omar Abdullah and Mian Altaf Ahmad.
The announcement took place in Nuner village, Ganderbal district, where political activist Sayim Mustafa joined the NC. Sayim Mustafa had previously contested the Lok Sabha election for the Srinagar seat but lost to Syed Ruhullah Mehdi.
Omar Abdullah’s decision to contest the Assembly elections marks a shift from his earlier statement, where he had said he would not participate in the elections as long as Jammu and Kashmir remained a union territory.
This development indicates a significant change in Omar Abdullah’s political stance and may have implications for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. After repeatedly announcing not to contest Assembly elections before the restoration of statehood, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on August 16 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. He revealed that he is under significant pressure from his part Announcement about Omar to contest polls was made by NC leaders Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Nasir Aslam Wani.
Omar had said that he would not participate in the elections as long as J&K remained a Union Territory.
On August 16, Omar had said that he was facing pressure from his party colleagues to reconsider his 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. | 