Will contest assembly elections: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, Aug 12: National Conference (NC)  President Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that he will contest the coming assembly elections.

He was talking to media persons in Doda. “ Yes, I will contest the assembly polls. I am alive and not dead,” Dr Farooq Abdullah said  when asked whether he will contest or not.  Asked from which constituency he will contest, the NC President said, “ I will not reveal that to you right now. I am the general of my party and  the generals do not  reveal their strategies.”

He justified NC Vice President Omar Abdullah’s decision not to contest assembly polls. “ He ( Omar) says he will not fight  assembly polls in union territory and wants the restoration of the statehood first. He is right in what he says,”NC President said.

Dr Farooq Abdullah reiterated that NC will not form any pre-poll alliance with any party. “ We will fight the elections with  our own strength and field candidates in all the 90 constituencies in J&K,” he said. NC President viewed that  Election Commission of India (ECI) may issue the poll notification in this month.

Meanwhile, according to a press release, Dr Farooq Abdullah urged people to remain vigilant and ensure victory of NC candidates in the upcoming assembly elections. He emphasised the importance of unity and perseverance while addressing a workers convention today at Malikpura Balisa in Block Pingal in Doda on the third day of his seven -day long visit to Chenab region.

Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta, senior party leaders, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, Sajjadi Ahmad Kichloo, Sajjad Shaheen, Zafarullah Rather, Qazi Jalaluddin, Asrar Khan, Vijay Lochan among others were present on the occasion.

He expressed concern over the rising trend of spreading hatred, particularly noting the divisive tactics used by BJP.

Dr Farooq Abdullah criticised the delimitation process, which he believed was carried out on a divisive basis. He said, "People need to remain vigilant and reject divisive elements." NC President stressed the importance of unity in the face of adversity, stating that despair is not an option.