KINS Desk
Srinagar, Oct 13 (KINS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections will serve as a clear test of political loyalties, determining “who stands with the BJP and who stands against it.”
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah as per news agency Kashmir Indpth News Service (KINS) said, “This election will make it evident who supports the BJP and who opposes it. Over the past year, no party has extended any support to the BJP, and by itself, it doesn’t have the strength to win even a single seat.”
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of relying on unfair means, Abdullah remarked, “If the BJP manages to secure any of the seats, it will only be because of money power, muscle power, and the misuse of central agencies.”
Confirming his party’s participation, he added that the National Conference has fielded a candidate for the fourth seat. “We had announced three names and believed Congress had the best chance on the fourth. However, they thought otherwise,” Abdullah said, referring to the NC-Congress alliance dynamics.
Responding to a query Omar said, “Dr. Farooq Abdullah remains an asset and the tallest leader of Jammu and Kashmir. He is one of the most respected political figures in the country. Who would dare deny Farooq Sahib if he chose to contest the Rajya Sabha polls?”
He, however, ruled out the possibility of Dr. Farooq Abdullah contesting the upcoming Budgam Assembly by-election. “A person who decided not to run for the Rajya Sabha won’t put himself through the rigours of an Assembly campaign,” Omar clarified.
The NC leader concluded by saying that the party would announce its candidates for the Budgam and Nagrota by-polls “in due course.”(KINS)
