Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Sep 6: National Conference (NC) Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision entitling the party its symbol ‘plough’ for the election.
The Supreme Court Wednesday set aside the election for Hill Council Kargil scheduled on September 10 and directed the Ladakh administration to issue a fresh notification for the electoral exercise within seven days.
The SC held that NC is entitled to the symbol of “plough” for the election and imposed a penalty of Rs one lakh on Ladakh administration for filing the plea.
Leveling serious allegations against BJP, former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X that their party got the verdict they wanted and deserved. “Our symbol, the plough, has been given to us by the Hon’ble Supreme Court earlier this morning.”
He said that the BJP, ably assisted by a totally biased Ladakh administration, did everything possible to deny them their right. “The court saw through this & penalised them with Rs 1 lakh costs imposed on the administration,” he posted.
He also congratulated the NC Kargil unit and the advocate representing their case in the High Court and Supreme Court.
NC Ladakh president and former Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon while welcoming the SC verdict said that it is a big win. “Everyone is happy. We knew since the beginning that we were legally right. Verdict is the answer to Ladakh administration. After the High Court verdict regarding the symbol, UT administration approached them again for a stay which was turned down by the Court,” the former minister said.
“The verdict will boost support in the elections.”
District President Kargil Haji Hanifa stated that the verdict is the win of the democratic setup. “Majority of the population in Kargil are associated with NC. They have been casting their votes in favor of Plough for decades. Party symbol will naturally evoke more response and support.”
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and General Secretary (Org), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Ashok Koul, while rejecting the allegations made by the former Chief Minister, said that they have nothing to do with it. “Why would the BJP assist the administration in any court case? It was the decision of the UT administration there and the BJP has nothing to do with it. We are contesting elections and nothing else.”
He said that the symbol doesn’t matter to BJP in any manner. “We welcome the verdict of SC.”
Mohd Hassan Pasha, Media Secretary BJP Ladakh said that their party has nothing to do with it. “Allegations leveled by Omar Abdullah are completely baseless. Our party has no role in it. This is between the court and administration,” he said.
He also said that remarks made by Omar Abdullah were just propaganda and nothing else.