Farooq to contest next JK Assembly poll as CM nominee

Jammu, Aug 19 (UNI) National Conference (NC) patron Farooq Abdullah today formally declared that he would contest the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections as his party's chief ministerial candidate which will probably be held in August next year.

The NC patron, after inaugurating a photo exhibition at the J&K Kala Kendra here, said he will be returning to state politics to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

''I will contest the next assembly elections in the state as the chief ministerial candidate of the NC,'' Dr Abdullah said.

The NC has started the preparation for the next Assembly elections, he said, claiming that the party would secure an absolute majority in the Assembly.

In reply to a question whether his declaration would sideline NC President Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister said the move would strengthen his son and help make him a better leader.

Giving the example of Sukhbir Singh Badal and his father Parkash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Dr Abdullah said, ''I am performing the task for finally handing the baton of governance to Omar''.

In reply to a query, Dr Abdullah revealed the NDA had offered him the candidature for the Vice-Presidential post first and after that the Third Front too gave a similar proposal. But he rejected them on the advice of his party and well-wishers, he said.

Criticising the policies of the Congress-led coalition government, Dr Abdullah said the state government is befooling people in the name of demilitarisation in the state.

''Some politicians beat the trumpet of demilitarisation and project it as a solution to the Kashmir issue. But they stay amid the troops. If they really are serious on demilitarisation, they should first demilitarise their security,'' he said.

UNI