Omar should contest assembly polls: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, June 13: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that his party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah should contest the coming assembly polls for the welfare of the people..

Dr Abdullah was talking to media persons after paying obeisance at Khanqah-e-Moula Shrine. Omar Abdullah has been saying that he will not contest assembly polls as long as Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory UT). In a recent interview he reiterated this and added that he does not want to humiliate himself by going to a UT assembly.

When Dr Farooq Abdullah was asked a question by media persons regarding it today, he said,” Whether Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory or a state. Omar sahab should contest assembly polls for the welfare of the people.

People are suffering on various fronts. Unemployment is growing and inflation is hitting the common masses, who face other problems also. People need political leaders for leading them. Omar should reconsider his decision and contest the assembly elections,” the NC President said.

Regarding criticism by some quarters to his statement advocating Indo-Pak talks, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that dialogue is the way out and it is the reality.

Earlier, the National Conference President paid obeisance at Khanqah-e-Moula following the annual Urs of Hazrat Amir-e-Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA).

On the occasion he emphasised the immense role of Hazrat Shah-e-Hamadan (RA) in shaping the socio-cultural milieu of the Kashmir valley. He offered prayers on the occasion and sought bountiful provisions from Allah for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

He also interacted with the devotees visiting the shrine on the occasion.