Seeks support for INDIA bloc candidates to keep ‘communal forces’ at bay
Former Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said People's Democratic Party (PDP) has now emerged as the “C team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the “A and B teams”.
Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir's Kokernag area, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that if the people want to keep communal forces out of power, they must vote for the candidates of the INDIA alliance.
He urged the voters to support National Conference candidates on three seats in Kashmir and Congress candidates on two seats in Jammu and one seat in Ladakh. The remaining parties in Jammu and Kashmir are somehow connected with the BJP, he said.
The NC leader said the “A and B teams” have been meeting secretly with BJP Kashmir In-charge Tarun Chugh. “(BJP leader) Mushtaq Bukhari has openly urged people to vote in favour of the PDP, as voting for PDP is voting for BJP,” he said.
Abdullah predicted that PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti would approach the BJP to persuade Mushtaq Bhukhari to retract his statement. “However, the situation has already become clear, indicating that after the A and B teams, the PDP has now emerged as the C team of the BJP,” he said.
Responding to queries about the BJP's announcement of a candidate for Ladakh, Abdullah said they are contesting an election along with Congress there and that they aim to field a candidate who would minimise BJP's chances of victory.
In Kund Kulgam, Omar Abdullah expressed disappointment over the lack of progress at the Noor Shah Baghdadi (RA) shrine despite the allocation of around Rs 10 crore during his tenure as Chief Minister.
The former CM also clarified that the National Conference did not join the INDIA bloc for seats. He reiterated that some parties joined the alliance solely for seat sharing and then accused the NC of selfishness. “If NC was indeed selfish, Congress and CPI(M) would have aligned with the PDP,” he said
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