Srinagar, Aug 30: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said on Friday the decision to form a pre-poll alliance with Congress for the Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections was difficult for his party as they had to “give up” several seats where they believed they had a strong chance of winning.
Speaking to reporters at a party event held at the NC headquarters here, Omar said the fight to “restore the rights” of Jammu & Kashmir’s people is a “shared struggle”. “This isn’t just our battle; it’s the fight of all Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding, “If the wrongs done to the J&K are corrected, it will benefit everyone, not just the NC.”
Abdullah, however, said the alliance with Congress was essential to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) dominance.
In areas like the lower parts of Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri, where Congress and the NC can make a stronger impact together, we conceded some seats to Congress, he said.
The former chief minister said the alliance’s effect was “already visible”, with Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad deciding not to campaign for his party in the elections.
“Azad’s decision not to campaign and his suggestion that his party’s candidates reconsider contesting is a clear consequence of the alliance,” he said.
On Wednesday, Azad cited health reasons for his decision to step back from campaigning, leaving the candidates to decide whether to proceed without his support.
Omar said if the NC is elected to power, one of its key promises is to abolish the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu & Kashmir. He said the law has been misused extensively, and the party is committed to removing it to prevent future abuse.
“We will also put an end to the arrests of young people,” he added.
