Baramulla: Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday alleged that delimitation of wards seems to be an excuse for delaying civic polls in J&K .
Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of a public meeting at Pattan, Omar said that the delimitation process should have been started in 2022 and concluded till now to conduct civil polls in time, adding therein that process seams to be an excuse authorities are taking to delay the elections.
Omar also contested claims of the Government on functioning of 3-tier democracy in Jammu and Kashmir as he said as of now even not a single tier would be there now. “We fear if they may cite any other reasons for keeping Parliamentary elections as well away from J&K. Democracy ends at Lakhanpur,” he added. “ It’s very unfortunate that the election commission of India is also responsible for the same, we fail to understand why they don’t have that much courage to hold the elections,“ Omar said. “They should announce the election dates in Jammu and Kashmir and should give people their right to express their voices.”
On abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, Omar said that they took the matter to the Supreme Court and they are waiting for the verdict. “We are still with the hope that the Supreme Court’s decision would be in the interest of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, ” Omar said.
Addressing party workers, Omar said “It must be our prime responsibility to have a vigil on those who don’t respect the party workers and try to weaken the party. They should not be spared at any cost”.
On Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, Omar said “when every political leader was put under detention in 2019 but how come Altaf Bukhari was enjoying freedom. Let him tell the secret. Bukhari should explain who put Tangmarg on fire (in 2010 protests).” He also said “Conspiracy against a Chief Minister in Jammu and Kashmir is not new. It started way back in 1953. Let us talk about 1984 also”.
