Omar Abdullah may contest assembly polls from Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Aug 25: Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah might contest the upcoming assembly elections from the Ganderbal seat.

The hints about this development came during a convention of the NC held in the Nunner area of Ganderbal district.

During the convention, several senior NC leaders urged Abdullah to contest upcoming elections from Ganderbal.

Abdullah himself while addressing the party workers also hinted at joining the electoral fray from Ganderbal, the family bastion of the Abdullahs.

“This is my first campaign meeting after the announcement of the assembly elections. It should have been in the constituencies going to polls in the first phase in south Kashmir. This may be a sign,” he said. "I have not come to snatch a mandate from someone nor give a mandate. The decision lies with the party and the party president. But I will say this thing that we will not decide without consulting the party workers.”

Abdullah said he had always tried to serve the people of Ganderbal in various capacities.

“You people gave me a lot of respect and love. I cannot forget that you sent me to Parliament thrice. You let me serve you as an MLA for six years. Had I listened to you in 2014, I would have been your MLA till 2018, even if in opposition. Now only God knows what will happen in future. But we have to work hard,” he said.

Abdullah has represented the Assembly constituencies of Ganderbal (2008-2014) and Beerwah (2014-2019).

He lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla constituency in north Kashmir against independent candidate Engineer Rashid, who is currently lodged at Tihar Jail.