It is NC versus PDP in south Kashmir: Omar Abdullah

Pulwama, Apr 20: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday that his party is in direct contest with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anantnag- Rajouri Loak Sabha seat.

“In south Kashmir, our contest is not with BJP’s B or C team.  Unfortunately, we are in direct contest with our friend who deserted us for the sake of a seat,” Omar told reporters at Derri, Muran village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

In response to a question about the BJP leader Ravinder Raina’s claim that they  would win the Jammu Lok Sabha seat by a huge margin, Omar  said that the party should announce its victory after the polling.

“The polling on Jammu seat is yet to be held and as of now ,their Udhampur seat appears  to be in danger,” said Omar.  Hitting out at the  BJP, he said that the party should  refrain from making such claims about Jammu and Kashmir.

“What forced Raina to opt out of race ? He had been preparing to contest from the south Kashmir seat,” Omar said. He said that the BJP is fighting the elections through its proxies. “Home Minister during his recent visit to Jammu said that they are not in a hurry to see lotus bloom in Kashmir,”the NC Vice President said , He viewed thatthat it implies that the party is using its B and C teams.

Earlier, while addressing the gathering, Omar sought votes for the Srinagar- Budgam Lok Sabha seat candidate Agha Syed Ruhullah.  “If you really want to restore your lost dignity and identity then you should send Agha Ruhullah to the parliament,” he  said.  The NC Vice President stated that the party decided to field Ruhullah as he could truly represent the people in the parliament. “He always remains resolute in his stance, ” Omar said.  He  asked the people if they want Ruhullah or a candidate who would go mute upon reaching Delhi and gather youth for the Home Minister.

During his address, Omar also announced the candidature of party leader Ghulam Mohidin Mir for the upcoming Assembly elections. In his address, Ruhullah hit out at the current dispensation for unilaterally scarping the constitutional provisions of Jammu and Kashmir.   “On August 5, 2019, they snatched our rights and reduced us to second class citizens,”he said. He said that they had not acceded to India to become second-class citizens, but rather to be recognized as dignified citizens.