Have never taken elections fogranted, especially after LS poll debacle from north: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he has never taken any elections forgranted and that the assembly here will be strengthened through these polls only.

Talking to media in Ganderbal Omar said that there was a dire need to forge an alliance for Pir Panjal areas to defeat BJP from maximum seats.

On being asked about change in his stance related to participating in elections, Omar said those who have been accusing him of giving away with the principals, have fielded their relatives and kins for the assembly polls.

He added that he believes the present assembly is not so strong as it was, but it can be strengthened through these elections only.

On being asked about Engineer Rasheed’s bail, he said the bail is granted by the court, not through votes. “Lest wait on what conditions will Engineer Rashid be allowed to walk out of jail if bail is granted,” he said.

Omar said he has never taken any elections forgranted, especially after the defeat in recently conducted Lok Sabha polls from north Kashmir seat.

“No election is easy. To contest the polls is always challenging,” he said when asked about the contest from Ganderbal between him and PDP candidate Bashir Ahmad Mir