Congress will support NC in 3 LS constituencies of Kashmir: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Apr 4: National Conference (NC) Vice-President Omar Abdullah today said that Congress will support his party in the three Lok Sabha (LS) constituencies of Kashmir.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a youth convention here, he also said that NC will support Congress in the two parliamentary seats of Jammu region.“ Being part of INDIA bloc NC and Congress are fighting the parliamentary polls together in Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.

"The discussions we have had so far, they (Congress) have clearly stated that they will support the three candidates of NC in Kashmir for the LS elections. There are some internal matters that will not be appropriate to mention here at this time," Omar Abdullah.

He, however, said that within the next couple of days in Delhi, everything will be clarified and all the developments will be shared with the media as well."Today, you may have noticed that our President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, is campaigning for the Congress candidates in the Jammu province," Omar said

The former Chief Minister stated that NC will make every effort to ensure the success of both Congress candidates in Jammu and Udhampur and will work hard for them. "Congress has also assured us that in the Valley, wherever their actual influence lies, they will use it for the success of NC candidates," he told reporters.

He said in three seats of Kashmir valley the Congress party will extend its support to NC while NC will provide its support to Congress in Jammu and Udhampur seats. When asked about the impact of the PDP and DPAD fielding its candidates, Omar Abdullah said that competition is never easy irrespective of the number of candidates.

"Media commentary often suggests that if there is a straight context, NC will suffer losses, and if there are multiple candidates, then again NC will suffer losses," Omar said. He asked the media to decide whether his party will face difficulties in South Kashmir due to DPAP and PDP's fight, or if Sajad Lone competes with NC alone.

When asked about the division of votes as PDP and NC are fielding their own candidates, Omar Abdullah said that the media should rather ascertain whether NC would get the vote of PDP if they would have formed an alliance. "Look at the results of the DDC elections, did PDP's votes transfer to NC or did NC's votes transfer to PDP. Even PC was part of PAGD that time, did their votes transfer," NC Vice President asked.

When asked about his participation in election campaigning for INDIA bloc outside J&K, Omar termed himself as a "small NC worker" and said he has been assigned the responsibility of five parliament seats of J&K. "I have no intention of campaigning outside Jammu Kashmir," he said.

“I am hopeful Srinagar, which is going for polls on May 13, will witness a huge turnout," NC Vice President said.