Farooq turns down UNPA's VP candidature offer

Srinagar, July 12: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister FarooqAbdullah today claimed that he had turned down an offer of the UnitedNational Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to contest on the post ofVice-President of India as the 'Third Front' candidate.

Addressing a news conference here, Dr Abdullah said he turned downthe advice of his ''friends'' to contest the elections for the post ofVice-President.

The National Conference (NC) patron said he turned down the offerbecause he wanted to campaign extensively for his party in the nextAssembly elections in the state scheduled for 2008.

Dr Abdullah said he will attend a meeting of the UNPA in New Delhion July 14 to decide its stand on the Presidential and VicePresidential elections.

The NC had earlier decided to join the UNPA, a newly formed outfitof eight regional parties, when Dr Abdullah attended a meeting of thealliance at the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh inNew Delhi on July 9.

TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala also attended the meeting.

UNI

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