Assembly polls: “I sense a conspiracy,” says Omar Abdullah on people contesting against him from jail

Ganderbal (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 7 (ANI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed “conspiracy” that people from prison are contesting against him in the upcoming assembly polls.

Abdullah is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam assembly seats which will go to polls in the second phase on September 25.

“They bring in people from jails to contest against me. Had this been a one-time thing, it could have been ignored. But now when assembly elections were announced and I was declared as the NC candidate from Ganderbal, again I heard someone from prison is going to contest against me. This person has nothing to do with Ganderbal. He might not even be able to locate Ganderbal on a map. I sense a conspiracy in this,” Omar said.

Earlier today, Omar claimed that the BJP can form government with Engineer Rashid’s party, Apni Party, Peoples Conference and Awami Itehaad Party.

Addressing the party workers at Shalbugh area of Ganderbal, Omar said, “During a press conference in Jammu yesterday, Home Minister Amit Shah was saying the name of parties with which they will not be forming a government. There were many parties which were not even mentioned…However, he didn’t mention several parties, including Engineer Rashid’s party, Apni Party, Peoples Conference and Awami Itehaad Party. This means that tomorrow if the BJP wants, it can form the government with them.”

There are a total number of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs. According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.