Srinagar : Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attributed the
the low turnout to the central government’s attempts to showcase normalcy in Kashmir by bringing foreign delegates.
“People of Srinagar didn’t want to send a wrong message by projecting it as normalcy and acceptance of Article 370 abrogation. They made another mistake of bringing those diplomats to show the higher percentage of voting, but people of Srinagar didn’t want that to happen.”
Despite the low turnout, Abdullah expressed gratitude to those who cast their votes. “Still, I am thankful to people who came out to vot,.” he said.
Regarding the third-phase polling, Abdullah noted north Kashmir’s historically high voter turnout. “Normally, north Kashmir has polled votes in high percentage even in difficult times,” he said. “I wish they vote again in good numbers and support National Conference (NC) candidates, and wherever our candidate is not contesting, they vote for Congress.”
