Will sweep elections, form next Govt in J&K: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Sarpanchs, Panchs, political leaders facing life threats; World to see Taliban impact for sure, can’t say which country will have more impact; Covid hit employment, development in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 31: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday claimed that his party will sweep assembly elections in J&K whenever polls are held and “we will form the next government”.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC here, Dr Farooq while replying to a query about whether NC was preparing for the upcoming Assembly polls, said: “We will sweep and win elections….you see…I am saying it with authority as NC is the biggest party in J&K.”

As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the NC chief said that Covid pandemic has hit development as well as employment opportunities in J&K. “You can see for yourself whether the situation has improved post Article 370 or deteriorated. I won’t talk about it much. If I say anything, they (BJP) would say I being in opposition has started targeting them. So let people judge themselves what has changed and what has not,” he said.

On Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, he said there will surely be an effect of the development taking place in Afghanistan. “Our neighbouring countries are in distress. I don’t know which country will face more impact of the Taliban take over. We have Pakistan, China, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Russia as our neighbor. Who knows whether the US would face more impact from Taliban take over. I can’t say, but yes, there will surely be an impact of the Afghan situation on the world,” Dr Farooq said.

About Sarpanchs security in Kashmir, he said Sarpanchs and Panchs besides other leaders are facing life threats as recently many of them belonging to BJP and one of them who was affiliated with the Apni Party were killed. “There has to be some security for them. BJP lost eight leaders in recent attacks,” the NC chief said—(KNO)