Srinagar, May 16: National Conference candidate from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, Omar Abdullah on Thursday demanded the revocation of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami which has urged willingness to participate in the upcoming elections if the Centre lifts the ban on it.
“I have demanded that the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami should be revoked and they should participate in the upcoming elections,” Abdullah said.
He questioned the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the valley despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not fielding a candidate. “Despite the BJP having no candidate here, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coming here,” he said.
The NC leader expressed confidence in his party’s chances in the elections. “I hope the National Conference will register a win in Anantnag and Baramulla. We will win,” he said.
He took a jab at People’s Conference president Sajad Lone, who he claimed had shifted focus from winning to ensuring his defeat. “Till yesterday, People’s Conference President Sajad Lone was talking about winning the elections. However, now he says that my defeat is necessary rather than his victory. He has accepted his failure,” Omar remarked.
The former chief minister further said that the NC aims to support all Kashmiri youth affected by violence, not just a select few. “NC is not working to release only one Kashmiri. If we come to power, we will raise the voice of every Kashmiri youth affected by violence in Kashmir,” he said.
He also affirmed the continued alliance of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), noting that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had chosen to distance itself from the coalition. “PAGD is still in alliance. The People’s Democratic Party has distanced itself from PAGD, which was their own decision,” Omar added.
