Kulgam, Aug 23: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah on Friday said a consensus has been reached with Congress on the majority of 90 seats, with further discussions on the remaining seats to be held before the list is announced.
He said this in Damhal-Hanjipora in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, where he accompanied senior NC leader and party General Secretary, Sakina Itoo as she filed her nomination papers for the assembly elections from the D H Pora constituency.
“The election process has started for the National Conference,” Omar said. “With the approval of the NC President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, senior party leader and colleague, Sakina Itoo has filed her nomination papers. Along with her success, the party expects all candidates running under the NC symbol to achieve success in this election.”
The former CM said, “We have presented our manifesto to the people. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that no other party will offer a better programme or agenda for the next five years.
“We hope that when the people of Jammu and Kashmir choose their government for the next five years, the National Conference will have the opportunity to serve them.”
When asked about the consensus reached between the NC, Congress and other parties, he said, “We have reached a consensus on the majority of the 90 seats. I can say that we have agreed on most of the seats. There are a few where local Congress leaders are standing, and we will sit down today to try and bring the remaining seats into the alliance and announce our candidates accordingly.”
On whether the NC will support the CPI(M) in Kulgam, Abdullah said no such decision has been made. “Once the final list is ready and our President Farooq Sahib agrees, everything will be made public.”
Asked why NC has not announced candidates as the last date for nominations – August 27 – is approaching, Omar said, “Why are you so concerned? Which party has released its list so far? None of them. They have been very strategic by presenting a list of constituency in-charges. Our constituency in-charges have been working for 10 years. Why are you after our list? Go ask them for theirs. Our list will be announced before the 27th.”
He added, “What would be the point of announcing it after the 27th? Our first candidate has already started, and we expect great success from Noorabad. As the saying goes, ‘Well begun is half done’, I believe this is a good start, and, God willing, this will have a positive impact on other seats as well.”
