Don’t take any election for granted, says Omar

Srinagar, August 29

Former CM and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said even though the newly elected Assembly lacks power, it can be strengthened through the Assembly only.

Omar, who is contesting the polls from Ganderbal seat, was asked if he had sacrificed his principles after changing his earlier stance not to contest Assembly elections. He said those who talk about sacrificing principles for power have fielded their own relatives. “If they were so bound to their principles, they should have completely stayed out of the elections. What is the point of staying out of poll and fielding relatives,” he said.

Omar further said he was not taking the contest for granted especially after he recentlylost the Lok Sabha elections. Asked if the Ganderbal seat would be a challenging contest, Omar said, “No election is easy to fight. I have never taken any election for granted… I hope the people of Ganderbal will give me another opportunity to serve them like they did in 2008.”