Srinagar, Mar 08: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Friday launched a scathing attack against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing any possibility of an alliance between the two parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Omar lambasted the PDP for its “targetting” NC, citing their loss of credibility after forming a coalition with the BJP and allegedly betraying the trust of the people. “NC would contest all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley independently and secure victory by a significant margin,” he said.
Expressing disappointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Srinagar, Abdullah labelled it as a mere “election stunt” devoid of any substantive measures for the welfare of Kashmiris.
He questioned the PDP’s role in the current political landscape of south Kashmir, given their third-place finish in the 2019 LS polls. “The prevailing circumstances, not NC, had kept PDP out,” he said.
The NC leader criticised PM Modi for “failing” to address the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir under the Central rule since 2019.
The Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are slated to be held in April-May 2024, coinciding with the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, the NC Vice President on Friday welcomed former MLA Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh into the party fold, the National Conference said in a statement issued here.
Among others, the party’s General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, Senior leader Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, North Zone President Javed Dar, District President Baramulla Dr Sajad Shafi Uri, Political Advisor to VP Mudassar Shahmiri, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Provincial Secretary Showkat Mir, YNC Provincial President Salman Ali Sagar, party leaders GH Rahi, Khawaja Mohammad Yaqoob Wani, Adv Neelofar Masood, Jahangir Wani were present on the occasion.
Welcoming Javaid Beigh, Omar said his wide-ranging experience in public life and social service will help the party to further strengthen its base. On the occasion, Beigh vowed to strengthen the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
Meanwhile, reacting to RJD Chief Lalu Prasad’s ‘Parivarvaad’ jibe on PM Modi, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has “never been in favour of such slogans”, allowing the PM to score a goal”.
RJD and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc, formed to take on the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “I have never been in favour of such slogans and we have never benefited from them. Whenever we use such slogans, it harms us,” he said.
“Voters are not influenced by all of this, they want to know how the issues they are facing at present will be resolved…We do self-goal or remove the goalkeeper by giving such statements and allow PM Modi to score a goal…,” the NC leader said.
The remarks came during an interaction with the media in Srinagar on Friday.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir on Thursday, the vice-president of the National Conference asked, “You tell me (Media), has something come out of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit? I did not see anything new. (He said) same things. What the people wanted to hear, like restoration of the democracy. I am aware that the Prime Minister can’t himself announce the elections”.
With KNS and ANI inputs
