Omar to be next CM: Farooq
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah today said the INDIA bloc will stake claim to form the Government in Jammu and Kashmir only after the alliance partners meet to elect the leader of the coalition in the Assembly.
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“Let the NC Legislative party meet, I am not staking a claim to the Chief Ministership of J-K. It is for the alliance and the elected members to decide who they feel should lead the state over the next five years, and that is as far as I am willing to go,” Abdullah told reporters outside his residence here.
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His remarks came after his father and NC president Farooq Abdullah announced Omar would be the Chief Minister.
The junior Abdullah said that as grateful as he was for the vote of confidence reposed in him by the NC president, “this is a decision for the legislative party of the NC” and a decision to be taken by the allies together.
Let the party celebrate its win and colleagues heave a sigh of relief before a meeting of the NC’s Legislative party takes place, he added.
“In a couple of days, we will call our legislative party meet where the NC legislative party leader will be elected. Then, we will sit with the alliance to decide who will head it. Then, when we have all the letters of support, we will stake our claim to the LG for Government formation,” Omar Abdullah added.
The NC leader said the mandate proves that the people have voted against the BJP’s politics in J&K.
“There was no division of votes in Kashmir and the higher reaches of Jammu. I think the people used their vote thoughtfully. It is now the responsibility of the alliance to provide a clean Government which comes up to the expectations of the people,” he added.
Earlier, in Budgam, Abdullah said many attempts were made to destroy his party over the last five years by creating new outfits which have been decimated in this election.
The former Chief Minister won the Ganderbal and Budgam seats, defeating his nearest rivals from the PDP by over 10,000 votes and 18,000 votes, respectively.
“There were attempts to destroy the NC over the last five years. So many parties were created here, whose only aim was to destroy the NC. But, God’s grace has been on us and those who tried to destroy us, have been decimated in the process,” Abdullah told reporters after receiving his winning certificate from the Returning Officer for the Budgam seat.
“I am thankful to the voters in Budgam for voting for me, making me successful and giving me an opportunity to serve the people of J-K once again,” he said.
Abdullah said the verdict has increased the party’s responsibilities.
“It is our duty now to come up to the expectations of the people through our work and that is what our endeavour would be for the next five years,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti after she congratulated the NC for the spectacular win.
Meanwhile, party president Dr Farooq Abdullah today announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, the party vice-president, will be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the media at his residence, Farooq said that people voted freely during the three phases of the Assembly polls and expressed their verdict. He noted that the verdict signifies that they do not accept what was done on August 5, 2019.
“People have spoken and given their verdict; it states that what they (the Government) did on August 5, they (the people) do not accept at all,” he said.
When asked who would head the next Government in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC Chief stated, “Omar will be the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Abdullah emphasized that a lot needs to be done for the people, highlighting the need to work for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is a lot that needs to be done. We have to work to end unemployment, inflation, and especially the drug menace. We need to set up centers where victims of drug abuse can receive treatment.”
The former Chief Minister stated that the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir will change, with elected representatives making decisions for the people rather than anyone else.
“The political landscape will change; it will not be the LG and his four Advisors making decisions. Rather, it will be 90 people speaking for the citizens and working to resolve their issues,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the people for voting and ensuring the success of the NC candidates. When asked if he was thankful to Congress as well, he replied, “I am thankful to everyone.”
“I am grateful to the people for participating in the elections freely; now the results are in front of you,” Abdullah added.
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