Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Apr 20: Former Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting elections in Kashmir under the symbols of bat and apple, rather than their own party symbol.
Omar while addressing reporters after a gathering of party workers at Deeri Murran Pulwama, said the BJP is reluctant to announce its own candidates for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliament seat, and possibly for other seats as well. They are using proxies to contest the elections, he alleged.
Abdullah questioned the BJP’s strategy, asking why they are not directly participating in the elections and instead supporting “B and C teams”. He criticised the Saffron party for making grand claims without fielding their own candidates, especially considering the uncertain outcome of polling, particularly in the Udhampur seat.
“If they have been making big claims then why did they leave the field empty and support their teams,” he said, adding, “When the polling is yet to be conducted on the Jammu seat, then on what basis can the BJP celebrate its victory.”
“I want to remind Ravinder Raina that the polling has not even happened for the Jammu seat. We don’t know how many votes would be cast. BJP should declare its victory after the voting. For now, their Udhampur seat seems to be in danger,” he added.
Regarding the contest in the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliament seat, the former chief minister said there is no direct competition between a “BJP-supported party” and the NC. “Unfortunately, we have a fight now with our own friend who was with us and left us for this seat,” he said.
Omar added, “The Home Minister recently indicated support to B and C teams by saying that they are not in a hurry for Lotus to bloom in Kashmir,” he said.
When asked about the BJP’s claim of securing 400 seats, the NC leader said, “Let’s wait till June 05 to see the actual results. Ladakh seat is going out of their hands and yesterday’s (Friday’s) voting indicates they won’t be able to win Udhampur seat.”
“National Conference is poised to win all three seats in Kashmir based on the response from the people,” he added.
