Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has claimed that the parliamentary elections would not be held in Jammu and Kashmir had it not been a matter of compulsion and attacked the government over Assembly polls in the Union Territory. He alleged that the Centre lacks courage to hold polls in Jammu and Kashmir. "In the Supreme Court, they (BJP-led Central government) said that elections to urban local bodies and panchayats will be held. But there is no notification. The challenges encountered in Kargil (LAHDC-Kargil) polls would extend across Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
"The last Assembly elections were held in 2014. We have been under the governor's rule for five years. There have been claims of significant improvements post-2019. If so, why the delay in elections?" Abdullah asked.
Abdullah attacks BJP
He claimed that the BJP is reluctant to hold elections due to its apprehensions about facing the people.
“The BJP exudes confidence in the public but a palpable fear lies within their ranks. They are well aware of the public's sentiment. Conducting parliamentary elections is their compulsion. If they weren't compelled, they wouldn't even hold a parliamentary election,” he said on Thursday evening.
"They shy away from facing the people. There will be no Panchayat, BDC, DDC, urban local body or assembly elections before the parliamentary polls," he added.
He said that the recent polls in Kargil proved the apprehensions of the BJP as the NC-Congress alliance won most of the seats.
"LAHDC-Kargil poll results proved their apprehensions. The NC-Congress alliance secured 22 out of 26 seats. Even the two Independent candidates who won in the polls extended their support for us," he said.
NC’s assurance to daily wagers
Omar Abdullah assured the daily wagers in the Union Territory that the elections were mandatory and they would be regularised once his party came to power.
"Rest assured, elections will be held sooner or later. Once the NC government assumes power, we will move towards regularising the status of daily wagers," he said.
Alleging that the MP from Jammu never prioritised the welfare of the people, he said said that it is “now our duty to carefully select the NC candidate”.
“I will engage with every segment across the 16 to 17 assembly segments in this parliamentary seat, ensuring everyone's voice is heard. "Following deliberations, I will recommend the candidate to NC chief Farooq Abdullah. The candidate chosen will have the full backing of all of you,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
