Srinagar: National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah Friday said since elections in J&K draw closer, his party anticipates the Indian National Congress to offer some concrete suggestions vis-à-vis pre-poll alliance between the two parties.
The NC leader’s statement comes barely an hour after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for J&K Legislative Assembly elections in three phases beginning September 18.
Omar also expressed uncertainty about his suitability to contest the maiden assembly elections following the abrogation of Article 370, claiming that he is not yet prepared.
He did, however, quickly clarify that he will come to some conclusion within the next few days for being under immense pressure from his party to run for the elections.
“The alliance with the INDIA bloc is still in place, and I met some senior Congress leaders from Delhi who visited J&K recently. I had a round of discussions with them to determine whether or not we could fight elections as coalition partners, but since they were in the region without instructions from their high command, the dialogue could not be continued,” Omar said at a press conference at his Gupkar residence.
The NC leader said the possibility of dialogue hasn’t yet faded because his father and the party president had a telephonic conversation with some top Congress leaders two days ago.
“We are ready to have a dialogue with the Congress if the party has any concrete ideas that may lead us to a mutual understanding. My father Farooq Abdullah spoke over the phone with a few senior Congress leaders about two days ago. Now, since the elections are drawing closer; let’s see what happens,” he added.
Regarding senior Abdullah’s inability to run the next assembly elections, Omar said he doesn’t think he is ready yet. “Now that he is too old, my father often experiences health issues. He says he will be compelled to enter the fray if I could not contest.”
Omar also urged the Election Commission of India to take strong note of the rampant transfers taking place in J&K ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, claiming the move is “aimed to further the agenda of the BJP and its allies” in the Union Territory.
“The rampant transfers give us a reason to believe that New Delhi has its LG to back the BJP’s B, C, and D teams and advance its agenda in J&K. The ECI must take note of the issue, and any transfer that does not follow its guidelines should be stopped forthwith,” Omar added.
He also appealed to the Election Commission to ensure that political leaders have sufficient protection ahead of elections, claiming that many politicians’ security has been reduced while many others have had their security cover withdrawn.
