Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader and candidate from Ganderbal, Qaiser Sultan Ganaie on Wednesday claimed that his opponent Omar Abdullah is losing elections from the seat, as people want a local leader who knows and addresses the local issues.
Citing Omar Abdullah’s defeat from Baramulla during Lok Sabha elections 2024, Ganaie said that it shows that Omar Abdullah has lost contact with people.
“Omar Abdullah (JKNC candidate) is losing from both assembly seats. The loss he had faced in Baramulla side of North Kashmir during Lok Sabha 2024 elections, it shows that Omar Abdullah has lost contact with people. He filled form from Budgam because he had a vote bank there otherwise he would have contested from Beerwah. He was defeated by a huge margin from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. This clearly shows that he has lost contact with the public,” Ganaie said.
Ganaie claimed that Omar Abdullah as chosen Budgam assembly constituency as a “safe seat” to save himself from the embarrassment.
“To save himself from embarrassment he chooses to contest the assembly elections from a safe seat Budgam assembly constituency. The public wants to elect a local candidate. People have rejected the non-local candidates who don’t know about the issues of the locality. He even took off his hat to ask for votes. It clearly shows that he is losing these elections,” Ganaie claimed.
JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam assembly seats, both of which have gone to polls on Wednesday.
“We have been waiting for ten years. The first phase went well, we expect a good turnout from the second phase also, the enthusiasm has been heartening, hope it turns out into voter turnout also,” Abdullah said while speaking to ANI.
A voter turnout of 24.10 percent was recorded till 11 am in the second phase of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir held on Wednesday. According to the data of the Election Commission of India, Ganderbal recorded voter turnout of 27.20 percent.
Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began at 7 am on Wednesday.
Over 25 lakh eligible voters will seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory. In this phase, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot, comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters and 53 third-gender voters.
The last phase of polls will be held on October 1 and counting of votes will be held on October 8. (ANI)
