Srinagar: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday hoped that the Congress will fully focus on Jammu plains during the campaign and perform well on these seats during the third phase of the elections on October 1.
Omar made these remarks while replying to a question about the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visiting Jammu and Kashmir to address election rallies on Wednesday.
“What the Congress does in Kashmir is not important, what the Congress does in Jammu is important. And unfortunately, Congress has not done as much in the plains of Jammu as much we would expect them to,” Omar told media persons in Srinagar.
“It is good Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is visiting Jammu and Kashmir for electioneering. I hope that after Rahul campaigns in one or two seats in Kashmir he focuses in Jammu,” the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.
He said, “The lion’s share of alliance seats in Jammu was given to the Congress party and yet the Congress campaign in Jammu is has not gained momentum.”
In reply to a question, the NC leader said the party was expecting a good turnout in the assembly election’s second phase, just like the first one in which 61 percent polling was recorded.
Omar is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam assembly constituencies where polling is underway for the second phase.
He said the first phase of voting was as important and the third will also be important for us. “Yes I have got a personnel stake on this but for the party all the three phases are important”.
Asked about his chances of victory in the elections, Omar said “umeed pe duniya qaim hai” (the world is built on hope). And I am quietly hopeful and the rest is… first in the hands of the almighty and the hands of the voters”.
He dismissed allegations made by Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti about bogus voting in Ganderbal and said, “Please investigate. I can’t help it if their candidates are not able to make the impact they had expected.”
Omar said, “it is not my fault that people have withdrawn from the elections in my favour. PDP has clearly seen the writing on the wall. Forget about the Budgam and Ganderbal, they will be lucky to win even in Bijbehara.”
