Don’t field candidates against NC-Cong in J&K polls: Omar Abdullah to PDP | Politics News

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah (File Photo: PTI)

Abdullah said the NC has prepared an extensive manifesto for the assembly polls which has been copied by other parties.

“We have not left out anything in the manifesto. Today, everyone has copied our manifesto. They should have kept some differences,” he said, referring to the PDP’s manifesto which was released by Mehbooba on Saturday.

Abdullah said his party promised to provide 200 free units of electricity if it comes to power and “they (PDP) also said they will provide 200 units”.

“We said we will provide one lakh government jobs in the first year, they also put that in their manifesto. We talked about reopening (cross-LoC) routes, it is in their manifesto as well. We talked about keeping the doors of dialogue open and they also said so. Almost everything that my colleagues put in our manifesto, they also put it,” he said.

On the PDP’s offer, Abdullah said there was not much difference between the agenda of the NC and the PDP.

“They (PDP) said if the NC-Congress alliance accepts their agenda, they will not put up candidates. You have put all our agenda in your manifesto. You have already accepted our agenda and now there is not much of a difference between your agenda and our agenda. Then do not field candidates and come, we will build a better tomorrow for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Ahead of his speech, NC leaders asked Abdullah to reconsider his decision to not contest the assembly elections. Party workers chanted slogans asking him to contest elections from Ganderbal, the family bastion of the Abdullahs.

Abdullah, however, said he does not know what the future holds.

“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 mandate from someone nor give mandate, the decision lies with the party and the party president. But I will say this thing that we will not take a decision without consulting the party workers,” he added, regretting the decision of giving mandate to former MLA Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar in 2014.

Last year, the NC expelled Jabbar for six years for indulging in anti-party activities.

Abdullah said he has 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 asked his party workers to remain cautious during the polls.

“Money will be distributed like water in these elections. A number of agencies will distribute money but you have to remain cautious about the people who join our ranks but work against us,” he said.

First Published: Aug 26 2024 | 12:43 AM IST