BJP running away from assembly elections: Omar

Srinagar, Jun 14: “It is unfortunate that those ruling us have come to power without elections,” former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
He also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is running away from the assembly elections “because they know that they will face defeat in both (Kashmir and Jammu) divisions”.
Talking to the reporters in the Magam area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the National Conference vice president, said, “Let us see if they have the courage to hold the assembly elections alongside Lok Sabha elections. They should give a reason which the world would like to know that they can hold Lok Sabha elections but not assembly elections.”
Omar said while the BJP could make preparations for the urban local bodies, panchayat, or DDC elections, they could not do so for the assembly elections. Individuals who had become “uncrowned kings” would no longer have their addresses once the assembly elections are held, he said.
“They are scared to face elections, had they not, elections would have been held. These people have come to power without elections and that is unfortunate for us that they are ruling us. Let elections take place, then I will see what they can do,” he said.
Responding to a question on films that are being said to be made to defame Islam, the former CM said, “We are not so weak that one or two films can weaken us or our religion.”
“It is their well-planned conspiracy, as and when the parliament elections would come closer in the country, their actions would become bigger, but we have to negate these conspiracies sensibly. Let them spread their lies, there won’t be any effect,” he added.
When asked about the remarks made by the chairperson of J&K Waqf Board Darakshan Andrabi about elections, Omar asked why he should wait for the elections.
“Madam will be happy; she does not want elections to happen, because their party will be wiped out. I know her very well, it is just I am not saying anything. She is a lady and we respect that but she should not speak trash,” he said.
In response to the Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of the Tamil Nadu minister on the allegations of money laundering, the NC leader said he opposes the way they treated the minister. “Such things have been occurring in every state,” he said.
“The medical reports say that three of his arteries are blocked. The way he was treated, the Central government and agencies should think about their behavior,” Omar said.