Jammu & Kashmir: Election Is Our Right, Won't Beg For It, Says Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah said the poll body should be asked when it plans to hold the elections in the Union Territory.

Jammu Kashmir National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Election Commission should tell people why the elections are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir. The former chief minister also said the poll body should be asked when it plans to hold the elections in the Union Territory.

It is to be noted that the President's Rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 following the state's bifurcation into Union Territories. However, the UT is under central rule through the Lieutenant Governor.  

“Is there a pressure on them (EC) not to hold elections? Let the Election Commission show some courage and say that they are under pressure. There is something fishy," the National Conference leader said outside the party headquarters on Tuesday.

"The media seems to be more concerned about the elections than us. Election is our right but we are not going down on our knees for it. If they want to snatch the right of people of Jammu and Kashmir, if they get some pleasure out of it, let them do it. We also have some self-respect and dignity,” he said.

#WATCH | Srinagar | National Conference leader Omar Abdullah speaks on the election in J&K; says, "....Election is our right. If they want to snatch away the rights of the people of J&K and if that gives them some kind of satisfaction, then do it. We too have self-respect. We… pic.twitter.com/P60l12wf5I

— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2023

Omar Abdullah further said the Chief Election Commissioner, during his last visit to the Union territory, had said that there was a vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir. "If CEC saw a vacuum here at that time, why is it not being filled? What is the compulsion?” he asked.

Speaking about an army commander's statement that the time was not right for withdrawal of army from hinterland in Kashmir, he said he agreed with the General as the situation has worsened over the past few years.

"We are also saying that the situation is not normal. General is also saying the situation is not right. There is militancy in the areas which were cleared of militancy earlier. Look at how their people are seeking security from the government as they are scared. General sahib has said it right," he said.

Taking a dig at the Centre, the National Conference vice president said there was an attempt to cover up the situation in the Valley by holding the G20 meet here but the local people know the reality.

"You cleaned the roads for the G20 (delegates) but local people know what it takes to travel from one place to another. Where they used to take five minutes to cover a particular distance earlier, they now spend 40 minutes. Students are not able to reach schools in time, employees are late to work, patient dies in ambulance. We know what the situation is,” he said.

It is to be noted that the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting was held in Srinagar last month.