J&K Polls: Omar Abdullah Files Nomination From Second Constituency

Srinagar: Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah will be contesting two seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections-Ganderbal and Budgam. He filed his nomination papers from Budgam on Thursday, a day after he had presented his nomination from Ganderbal, considered to be his family bastion. However, his seeking election on two seats has evoked criticism from his political opponents who said he was doubtful of his victory in Ganderbal or, at least, the move smacks lack of confidence in him.

“He would not have filed his nomination papers from Budgam after doing it in Ganderbal a day ago unless he is doubtful of his victory. He claims to enjoy widespread support of the people of Ganderbal. But his decision to try his luck also in Budgam shows a clear lack of confidence in him,” said



PDP general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura. 54-year-old Abdullah had, after presenting his nomination papers in Ganderbal on Wednesday, removed the cap from his head and then with folded hands appealed to the voters to elect him. For his supporters it symbolised his being humble before the people, but his opponents saw in it an acknowledgement of his being on a sticky wicket.

But Mr. Abdullah said that his contesting from two Assembly seats is not a sign of weakness but proves the strength of his National Conference (NC) party which had performed extremely well in the Ganderbal segment of the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in the recently held general elections and bagged majority of polled votes in Budgam also which is part of the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency.