Farooq regrets not fighting 2002 J

Srinagar, July 12 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) patron Farooq Abdullah today regretted not contesting the state Assembly elections in 2002, saying it was a ''mistake'' and a ''selfish'' decision on his part.

Addressing a news conference here, he admitted that the decision not to the contest the 2002 Assembly polls was a ''mistake''.

''It was selfishness on my part,'' Dr Abdullah added.

The NC leader said he would participate in the next Assembly elections in the state scheduled for 2008.

Dr Abdullah said he would try his best to undo the damage done to his party during the last Assembly polls.

''I turned down the offer by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to contest on the Vice-President's post as its candidate because I want to campaign extensively for the NC in the next Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

On this, NC president Omar Abdullah, who was present at the news conference, said Dr Abdullah's decision not to contest the Assembly elections in the state in 2002 gave an impression that the father and the son were pulling in different directions.

''This impression was exploited by our opponents during the 2002 polls and they benefitted a lot from it,'' he added.

UNI