Srinagar, Apr 18 (KNO): National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah questioned the rationale behind Ghulam Nabi Azad's decision to contest from the Anantnag-Rajori seat, stating that if Azad opted out of the Udhampur-Doda constituency, why would he vie for Anantnag? Abdullah expressed little surprise at Azad's electoral abstention, asserting that the NC had anticipated his move.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) accompanying Mian Altaf, the NC candidate, who submitted his nomination papers in Anantnag on Thursday, Omar while speaking to media said "We expected he (Azad) wouldn't contest. If he's not contesting from Udhampur-Doda, why Anantnag? Now his party has nominated a new candidate. We'll soon gauge his public support."
Regarding the absence of BJP candidates on three Valley seats, Abdullah commented, "There's still 24 hours left. Who knows, they might follow suit."
Responding to Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar noted that the National Conference has suffered greatly from such unrest. "They know where the gun culture originated. No party has suffered more than NC. We've lost over 4,000 senior workers, officials, and former MLAs," Omar said—(KNO)