Omar Abdullah hails Jamaat’s move to contest poll

Jammu, August 25

Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday welcomed reports about the Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) fielding its candidates as Independent contenders in the upcoming Assembly elections.

“Everyone has the right to contest polls. I have read reports regarding the JeI fielding its candidates as Independent contenders, which is a welcome step,” Omar said.

The former CM noted that the organisation was trying hard to get the ban lifted so it could field its candidates. But unfortunately, the ban was not lifted before the announcement of Assembly elections, he added.

As per reports, JEI is likely to contest elections from 10 Assembly segments in the Kashmir region. The banned organisation was finalising its candidates who would be fielded independently.

“I had hoped that the JeI will field its candidates on the party symbol, but even if it couldn’t happen, let them field their candidates. JeI representatives should come out with their manifesto and then it will be up to the people who they vote for,” the NC leader said.

When asked about Home Minister Amit Shah targeting NC’s poll manifesto, Omar said he was pleased to know that Shah had read the manifesto of his party.

“We are a small organisation fighting elections in a far-off region of the country and if our manifesto was read by the Home Minister, it is a big thing. His mention also forced others to read it,” Omar said.

However, Home Minister Shah mentioned a few things that were not even present in the poll manifesto, the National Conference vice-president added.