Seat-sharing talks on, clarifies Omar Abdullah after Farooq says party to go it alone

Naseer Ganai

Srinagar, February 15

Hours after National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said his party would contest the Lok Sabha elections and possibly Assembly elections in the UT on its own, Omar Abdullah on Thursday clarified that his party was a part of the INDIA grouping and would continue to be. He said the NC was holding talks with the Congress for an arrangement in three of the six Lok Sabha seats in J&K and Ladakh.

Claiming that whatever Farooq said was a reflection of what the party cadre felt, Omar, with his father by his side, said things had been taken out of context.

“The main idea of the grouping is to defeat the BJP because there is no point in sailing in two boats,” he said.

“If the bigger objective is to win seats back from the BJP, it is necessary for the NC to enter into a seat sharing understanding with the Congress. Our doors are open,” the party’s vice president said.

Omar also clarified that his party was not joining the National Democratic Alliance of the BJP. He described such reports as mere rumors. Omar said whenever some parties and people see the National Conference getting stronger in J&K, they spread lies and rumours to weaken the party. He said his party’s door was never open for the NDA.

On seat sharing, Omar said there are six seats from the two UTs — Baramulla, Srinagar, Anantnag, Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh. Of these, the seats of Baramulla, Srinagar, Anantnag are with the NC and the rest are with the BJP. “Three seats (of the Valley) are already with INDIA alliance. These are the seats that the NC won in previous election. Therefore the seats that are to be discussed are those who are with the BJP. We are firm on that position,” Omar added.

He said there will be no discussion on the three seats of the Valley as they are already with the INDIA alliance. “Had any of these seats with the BJP, we would have open to discuss it,” Omar said, adding that the INDIA alliance commitment is to stop the BJP, not to weaken the INDIA bloc allies.

Referring to PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the UT next week, Omar said, “We will also get to know how much development has happened in J&K.” One thing that the people would like to hear from the PM is whether his party will honour the Supreme Court’s decision to hold Assembly elections before September this year, he said.

Earlier in the day, Farooq had welcomed the PM’s J&K visit, saying, “It is a good thing that the PM is coming. He is going to announce some projects.” Farooq also urged the government to address the farmers’ concerns with empathy, ensuring that not a single farmer is harmed. “In 2021, the government’s move to pass three Bills without proper scrutiny led to martyrdom of 750 farmers. The Bills were taken back only when the UP Assembly polls were announced,” he said.

About the Supreme Court’s decision on electoral bonds, Farooq said, “The Supreme Court decision would provide a level-playing field to all. Now, they (BJP) should disclose how much they have got and who have funded them.”

Laying thrust on transparency, he said people deserve to know where from money power has come and how much money power the party has.

Taken out of context

Whatever Farooq said was a reflection of what the party cadre felt. Things have been taken out of context. There is no point in sailing in two boats. — Omar Abdullah, NC vice-president

Listen to farmers

The government must address the farmers’ concerns with empathy, ensuring that not a single farmer is harmed. I hope they won’t make farmers suffer. — Farooq Abdullah, NC leader