No credit to New Delhi on record voting turnout in Baramulla PC: Omar

Srinagar, May 21: National Conference vice president and Baramulla Parliamentary candidate Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the record voter turnout in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency cannot be credited to New Delhi.
“If New Delhi attributes the high voter turnout in Baramulla to the abrogation of Article 370, they should also account for the even higher turnout before 1990,” Omar told reporters here.
He said the high voter turnout was the result of the courage of voters in expressing their opinions through their votes.
Asked whether the high voter turnout was the result of people’s dissatisfaction with the abrogation of Article 370, the NC leader replied in affirmation.
“Another factor contributing to the high turnout was that people feel unheard and overlooked by the current administration,” he said. He, however, pointed out the restricted access to government offices and the lack of responsiveness to people’s concerns, implying a disconnect between the rulers and the ruled.
Omar described the prevailing atmosphere as one of anxiety, with decisions being made without adequate consultation with the public.
“Despite the various reasons for discontent, I commend voters for utilising their vote. In a democracy, voting is the primary means of expressing one’s views” he added.
Notably, the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which went to polls on Monday, witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout of 59 percent.