Srinagar, May 23: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who won from the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, expressed hope that the new government at the Centre would do justice with the state and engage in a dialogue with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Speaking to reporters at the NC headquarters, Farooq Abdullah thanked his party leaders, workers and the people of Srinagar constituency for their support.
“I thank (NC vice-president) Omar (Abdullah), our party leaders and the people of Kashmir, especially the people of Srinagar constituency – all the mothers, sisters, elders and youth for supporting the NC,” he said.
“This Parliament will not be easy. There are several important issues with respect to J-K because we have to fight them on their intention to do away with the Article 370 and 35-A. Another issue is that they want to divide the Muslims and Hindus in the country; we have to fight that as well,” the NC chief said.
“This country belongs to all and we have to keep this country strongly on that secular path which our Constitution enshrines. We have to protect the Constitution, drafted by (B R) Ambedkar, and take the country forward,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah said for peace to be established in Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan will have to come to the dialogue table and resolve this issue.
“We hope the new government in Delhi will do justice with J-K and engage in dialogue with Pakistan so that we are taken out of this morass,” he said.
Asked about the UPA’s performance in the polls, he declined to comment, saying “what has happened, has happened, I will not say anything on that”.
Meanwhile, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Thursday congratulated the BJP and the NDA for its “stellar performance” in the Lok Sabha polls.
The former chief minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for putting together a winning alliance and a professional campaign.
“So the exit polls were correct. All that’s left is to congratulate the BJP & NDA for a stellar performance,” Abdullah tweeted.
“Credit where credit is due PM Modi Sahib & Mr Amit Shah put together a winning alliance & a very professional campaign. Bring on the next five years,” he added.
Abdullah’s tweet came as the trends showed the BJP and the NDA sweeping the Lok Sabha polls.
