Kulgam, Sept 13: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Friday said he is ready to accompany Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid to Tihar Jail the day he has to return if the latter leaves the election field.
Er Rashid had challenged Omar that if he accompanies him to Tihar Jail, he will withdraw his nomination papers from Ganderbal and Beerwah.
“Let Omar do just one thing: if he accompanies Er Rashid from Srinagar airport to Tihar Jail, Rashid will withdraw his nomination papers from Ganderbal and Beerwah. Does Omar have the strength to do that?” the AIP president had said.
Responding to the challenge, the former chief minister said, “Yesterday, Er Rashid said that if I was willing to accompany him back to Delhi, he would withdraw from the contest. Today, I say that on the day he needs to return to Tihar Jail, I will go with him to drop him off. Let him leave the contest and stay at home.”
Omar was speaking to reporters after addressing a gathering in Chowgam village of the Devsar constituency in Kulgam as part of the election campaign for the National Conference candidate in the area.
The AIP chief had also said that if the NC and others have a manifesto for the restoration of Article 370, he would walk behind them.
Abdullah said, “We have spoken about the issue of Kashmir. We have spoken about Article 370. We have spoken about improving relations between India and Pakistan. We have spoken about the issues people face on a daily basis. Tell me, what issue have we left untouched that the people don’t want us to discuss?
He added, “When Er Rashid was asked if he would support the BJP after the election, he remained silent. Why doesn’t he openly say that he won’t help the BJP after the election?”
Earlier, addressing a rally in Chowgam, Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of causing huge damage to Jammu & Kashmir, saying the people of the region are disappointed and upset.
“The only way to overcome this disappointment is to defeat the BJP and those who plan to support the party after October 08,” he said.
“We urge our voters to send their candidates to the Jammu & Kashmir assembly so we can find a way to rectify the injustices committed over the past 8 to 10 years,” he said.
