National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of copying his party’s manifesto. He appealed to the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP not to field its candidates against NC-Congress candidates for the good of Jammu and Kashmir as both the parties have the same agenda.
Omar Abdullah’s remarks came a day after Mehbooba said the PDP would extend full support to the Congress-NC alliance and would leave all seats in the polls if the alliance accepts her party’s agenda.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said this while addressing NC workers in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, where activist Saim Mustafa joined the party. Omar said that NC has prepared a comprehensive manifesto for the assembly elections which has been copied by other parties.
He said, “We have not left anything in the manifesto. Today, everyone has copied our manifesto. They should have kept some difference.” Omar said that his party had promised to give 200 units of free electricity if it came to power and they (PDP) also said that they will give 200 units.
“We said we will give one lakh government jobs in the first year, they also included it in their manifesto. We talked about reopening the (cross-border LoC) routes, it is also in their manifesto. We talked about keeping the doors of dialogue open and they also said the same. Whatever my colleagues put in our manifesto, they have also put it.”
On the PDP’s proposal, Omar Abdullah said there is not much difference between the agendas of the NC and PDP. “They (PDP) said if the NC-Congress alliance accepts their agenda, they will not field candidates. You have already included our agenda in your manifesto and now there is not much difference between our agenda and your agenda, so don’t field candidates and let us build a better future for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Before his speech, NC leaders appealed to Omar Abdullah to reconsider his decision to contest the assembly elections. Party workers raised slogans asking him to contest from Ganderbal, which has been the stronghold of the Abdullah family. However, Omar Abdullah said he did not know what would happen in the future.
He said, “This is my first election meeting after the announcement of assembly elections. It should have been in the seats going to the first phase in south Kashmir. This could be a signal. I have not come to snatch mandate from anyone nor give it, this decision is up to the party and the party president, but I will say that we will not take any decision without consulting the party workers,” he said, expressing regret over the decision to give ticket to former MLA Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar in 2014.
Last year, the NC expelled Jabbar for six years for indulging in anti-party activities. Omar Abdullah said he has always tried to serve the people of Ganderbal. “You people gave me a lot of respect and love. I cannot forget that you sent me to Parliament thrice. You let me serve as an MLA for six years. If I had listened to you in 2014, I would have been your MLA by 2018, even if in the opposition. Now only God knows what will happen in the future, but we have to work hard,” he said.
Omar Abdullah asked his party workers to remain vigilant during the elections. He said, “Money will be distributed like water in these elections. Many agencies will distribute money but you have to be cautious of those who join our ranks but work against us.”
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)