Omar seeks votes against abrogation of Article 370; Mir asks him to explain reason for breaking PAGD
Baramulla: National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah and former Rajya Sabha member and PDP candidate Mohammad Fayaz Mir on Thursday filed nomination papers for the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accompanied by NC’s treasurer Shammi Oberoi and senior vice-president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee G N Monga, Abdullah filed nomination papers before Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa, who is the Returning Officer of the constituency.
PDP candidate Mir also filed his nomination papers for the constituency, which will go to polls in the fifth phase of elections.
A multi-cornered contest is on the cards in the constituency with People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone and jailed leader of the Awami Ittehad Party, Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid, joining the fray.
The total number of candidates in the north Kashmir constituency has now risen to 12.
The last date for filing nominations for the seat is May 3, while the polling is scheduled to take place on May 20.
Meanwhile, expressing optimism about the prospects of the INDIA alliance, Omar Abdullah claimed that the alliance will win all six seats of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have filed my nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections. It is after ten years that I filed a nomination paper in J&K. This tells you about the situation of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. The previous assembly elections were held in 2014. In the last 10 years, assembly elections have not been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar told reporters in Baramulla.
“We are hopeful that the National Conference and our INDIA alliance partner (Congress) will secure victory across J&K and Ladakh,” Omar stated, emphasizing the opposition to the decisions made on August 05, 2019 (abrogation of Article 370).
Omar said that NC opposes the decision taken on August 5, 2019 and said they are asking for votes to fight against it.
The former chief minister also alleged that the Election Commission was giving BJP a “free hand” to use religion in elections.
“The other parties are asked to follow the model code of conduct, but there are no restrictions on the BJP. The star campaigners of the BJP repeatedly use religion to divide people — be it in the name of ‘mangalsutra’, or land or cow slaughter.
“Unfortunately, attempts are being made to spread hatred in this country and that too by the party whose leaders, including its prime minister, never get tired of saying that he (the prime minister) represents all 140 crore Indians,” Omar said.
Omar refused to comment on Sajad Gani Lone’s remarks that the People’s Conference would withdraw from the contest if the INDIA bloc made a public commitment to the restoration of Article 370.
Meanwhile, Accusing Omar Abdullah of fracturing the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an alliance of five political parties seeking the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir which was revoked by the Centre in 2019, PDP’s Mohammad Fayaz Mir lambasted his erstwhile ally, citing post-August 05, 2019 developments as evidence.
“Omar Sahib should tell the reasons that led to the breaking of PAGD. It is he (Omar) who broke the alliance,” Mir told media persons in Baramulla.
“People now know everything as to which party did what after August 5, 2019,” he said.
PDP candidate also said that Sajad Lone of Peoples Conference is a very strong candidate and has the support of several powers. “Everyone knows the BJP is supporting him (Lone)…. Omar sahib has support of Shiv Sena and Congress. We have the support of Allah and people,” Mir said.
