Mehbooba Mufti criticises Omar Abdullah for contesting on two seats

SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, criticised National Conference leader Omar Abdullah for contesting on two seats for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Omar Abdullah was reiterating one thing from the last 3-4 years, that he would not contest elections till the time statehood is restored in J&K. He even said that he could not beg the LG to approve every little order as the Chief Minister of a UT. Now he is contesting from two seats. This shows the difference in what he says and what he does. This is what his family has done since 1947,” Mufti said while speaking to reporters on Friday.

Omar Abdullah is contesting from both Ganderbal and Budgam seats for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He has filed nominations from both the seats on separate dates.

Speaking on his decision to contest a second seat, Omar Abdullah said, “Me contesting elections from two seats is not a proof of weakness, it is a proof of the strength of the National Conference. Whether it is Baramulla, Anantnag or Srinagar, the trend is seen in favor of the National Conference. As far as the last 5-6 years have been a period of misgovernance, allegations of corruption have been made, all of them will be investigated.”

The National Conference and the Congress party are fighting the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir together. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also extended its support to the Congress and National Conference alliance in the J&K polls.

The voting in the Union Territory is scheduled to be held in three phases: September 18, 25 and October 1. The counting will be held on October 8. (ANI)