News Analysis India

Tag: Farooq Abdullah

  • Sat phones, special runners and more… all in place for polls in Anantnag-Rajouri

    Anantnag/Rajouri (JK): With the threat of cross-border shelling in some border areas and satellite phones and special runners in place to deal with contingencies, all is in readiness for elections in the controversially redrawn Anantnag-Rajouri constituency from where PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is contesting. Contesting against Mehbooba Mufti, working to revive her party’s fortunes following its alliance with the BJP in 2015, in the keenly watched election on Saturday are National Conference’s Mian Altaf and 18 others.

    Elections in the last of the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir take place against the backdrop of four terror incidents, including one that claimed the life of an Indian Air Force soldier and a former BJP sarpanch.

    Nothing is being left to chance, said officials. Multi-layer security arrangements have been put in place in the constituency spread across 18 assembly segments in Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian in south Kashmir and Rajouri and Poonch districts south of Pir Panjal to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. The Election Commission has set up 2,338 polling stations in the parliamentary constituency, which has more than 18.36 lakh voters. Four election staff, including the presiding officer, will be stationed in every polling booth. In all, more than 9,000 polling staffers, including reserves, are being deployed and have left for their stations. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States With 19 border polling stations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch, a contingency plan has been worked out to deal with cross-border shelling though chances are negligible given the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan that came into effect in February 2021, officials said. Some polling stations fall in communication-shadow areas and alternative arrangements have been put in place in such areas with satellite phones, wireless sets and special runners being provided in case of a crisis. The parliamentary seat was redrawn, sparking controversy due to the geographical divide imposed by the Pir Panjal ranges. Criticism was levied against the delimitation process with Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party among others voicing concern over the methodology employed and suggesting a lack of consideration for geographical coherence. In 2019, the Anantnag constituency had a turnout of just 9.8 per cent. And so perhaps, in a marked contrast to the fervent campaigning witnessed in other constituencies, the area has seen relatively subdued rallies.

    However, the Poonch and Rajouri regions, known for high voter turnouts, have seen hectic campaigning with all parties getting their top leaders to campaign.

    Political heavyweights such as National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari and Azad have spent considerable time in engaging with voters.

    Originally slated for May 7, the Election Commission postponed polling in Anantnag-Rajouri citing adverse weather conditions. The decision to defer voting by 18 days drew the ire of regional political factions which alleged favouritism towards the BJP-backed Apni Party candidate Zafar Manhas.

    Azad, who was initially slated to contest under the DPAP banner, has fielded Mohammad Saleem Parray, prompting speculation of strategic candidate placements possibly influenced by the BJP to fracture opposition votes.

    This Lok Sabha election, the first since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019 and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, is crucial for Mehbooba Mufti.

    She is grappling with internal party dissension with several former PDP members now contesting against the party. The most prominent among them perhaps is Manhas, who was earlier affiliated with the PDP.

    Amid the political manoeuvring, National Conference’s Omar Abdullah hinted at BJP support for Mehbooba Mufti in certain local pockets, a claim she chose not to address publicly.

    The unfolding developments in Anantnag-Rajouri portend a riveting electoral showdown with far-reaching implications for the region’s political landscape.

    With record-high polling in Srinagar and Baramulla, political observers feel the south Kashmir constituency will also register a higher than expected voter turnout.

    The aggregate turnout in the four Lok Sabha seats, including Udhampur and Jammu, which have already gone to polls was around 59 per cent.

    Authorities had received more than 2,200 applications from the contesting candidates and political parties, seeking permission for various electioneering activities.

    While 1,920 applications for rallies, roadshows and meetings were approved, 303 pleas were rejected on various grounds.

    The 18.36 lakh voters are enrolled in the five districts of Kulgam, Anantnag, Poonch, Shopian and Rajouri of the parliamentary constituency include 9.33 lakh men, 9.02 women and 27 third-gender voters.

    Around 18,000 differently-abled people and 540 people aged above 100 years are eligible to cast their ballots.

    Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. Before that, there will be a mock poll in the presence of polling agents. Voting will continue after 6 pm if voters are found standing in queues outside polling booths.

    Seventeen polling booths (‘pink’ polling stations) will be managed by women, 15 by differently-abled people and eight by youngsters. Also, there will be 15 ‘green’ polling stations to spread the message about environment awareness.

    All the polling stations in Anantnag-Rajouri will have CCTV cameras for live webcasting to the control rooms set up at the district and CEO office. The cameras will be positioned in such a way so that they do not violate the secrecy of vote.

  • ‘Pak has nukes’ remark: ‘Pakistan Ka Samman Karo Matlab…’, Amit Shah lambasts Farooq Abdullah – The Economic Times Video

    Home Minister Amit Shah take on JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah ‘Pakistan has nuke’ remark and asserted that PoK is part of India. Further he attacked opposition over ‘respect Pak’ remark and said, respect Pakistan means what? Give up PoK? He said, “As far as PoK is concerned, it is not only the commitment of the BJP but also the commitment of the Parliament of the country. PoK is a part of India and we have rights over it. No one can deny that. Farooq Abdullah and Congress leaders are saying that Pakistan has an atom bomb, so respect them. Will an Atomic power with a 130 cr population Bharat, be scared of someone and give up its right? JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah said, “If the defence minister is saying it then go ahead. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us”.

  • Farooq Abdullah & Mehbooba Mufti react to PM Modi’s ‘Congress will take your Mangalsutra’ remark – The Economic Times Video

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  • Threat to INDIA bloc, some may form separate alliance: Farooq Abdullah

    National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said there is a threat to the INDIA bloc if a consensus on seat sharing is not reached soon, asserting that some members may try to form a separate grouping. In a discussion with former Union minister Kapil Sibal on his YouTube channel, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said very little time is left for the Lok Sabha elections. When asked about lack of clarity on seat-sharing arrangements in the INDIA bloc, Abdullah said: “If we have to save the country, we will have to forget differences and think about the country… If seat-sharing arrangement is not finalised then there is a threat to the alliance. It should be done in a time-bound manner. It is possible some may come together to form a separate alliance, which I feel is the biggest danger. There is still time.”

  • Never seen State becoming Union Territory: Farooq Abdullah – The Economic Times Video

    Addressing one day Gujjar & Bakarwal conference at National Conference Office, Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on January 17 said that he had never witnessed a state becoming a union territory. He had only seen a union territory becoming a state.While addressing the conference, Farooq Abdullah said, “I have never witnessed a state becoming a union territory. I have only seen a union territory becoming a state…During my time, there was such a rush at the secretariat. But now, there is nobody to listen (to the problems). This can be changed only by you i.e. the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians living here…”

  • Farooq attacks Centre for not holding G20 meet in Jammu, settlement of locals

    By PTI

    JAMMU: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday attacked the government, saying it is unfortunate that G20 meetings were scheduled in Ladakh and Kashmir but not in Jammu, and slammed BJP leaders for not raising the issue.

    He also opposed the settlement of non-locals in Jammu and claimed that the Dogra identity is under threat.

    “It is very unfortunate that G20 meeting can be held in Ladakh and Kashmir but not in Jammu. Is Jammu not important? It is sad that not a single BJP leader, even those who chanted ‘Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Dogra, Dogra, Dogra’ raised the issue. They have taken Jammu for granted believing that it is in their pocket,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a NC function at its headquarters here.

    Asked about the public notice issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board seeking online applications from people, who have migrated to Jammu temporarily or permanently, for allotment of 336 flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission here, he said.

    “It shows what we have been saying all the time that demographic change is being brought about. Jammu is going to lose its identity, the Dogra identity is going to disappear and that is what Maharaja (Hari Singh — the last Dogra ruler) fought against. It was not (NC founder) Sheikh Abdullah or our party that brought that (state subject) law in 1927 for job and land protection. He (Maharaja) wanted his culture and identity to remain intact, Abdullah said. He said if outsiders are settled here, where will the locals go.”

    “They want to vanish this (Dogra) identity and it is very surprising that not a single BJP leader speaks about it. The people from outside will settle here and take our land and jobs slowly,” the NC leader said.

    On the April 20 terrorist attack on an army truck in Poonch district that left five soldiers dead, Abdullah said contrary to the BJP’s claims, terrorism is still alive in Jammu and Kashmir. “Has terrorism been ever finished? They were claiming that terrorism is finished with the abrogation of Article 370 (in 2019). There is no Article 370 (now) but terrorism is still there,” the former chief minister said, adding that “terrorism had heightened in the region”.

    In 2019, the Centre had abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

    He said the killing of the five soldiers is a “shame for us and we regret the loss”.

    Supporting casual and need-based workers seeking regularisation, the NC leader said “The world is celebrating labour day and they (the administration) should think about the plight of these workers and how they are running the affairs of their families in the present times of high inflation”.

    JAMMU: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday attacked the government, saying it is unfortunate that G20 meetings were scheduled in Ladakh and Kashmir but not in Jammu, and slammed BJP leaders for not raising the issue.

    He also opposed the settlement of non-locals in Jammu and claimed that the Dogra identity is under threat.

    “It is very unfortunate that G20 meeting can be held in Ladakh and Kashmir but not in Jammu. Is Jammu not important? It is sad that not a single BJP leader, even those who chanted ‘Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Dogra, Dogra, Dogra’ raised the issue. They have taken Jammu for granted believing that it is in their pocket,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a NC function at its headquarters here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Asked about the public notice issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board seeking online applications from people, who have migrated to Jammu temporarily or permanently, for allotment of 336 flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission here, he said.

    “It shows what we have been saying all the time that demographic change is being brought about. Jammu is going to lose its identity, the Dogra identity is going to disappear and that is what Maharaja (Hari Singh — the last Dogra ruler) fought against. It was not (NC founder) Sheikh Abdullah or our party that brought that (state subject) law in 1927 for job and land protection. He (Maharaja) wanted his culture and identity to remain intact, Abdullah said. He said if outsiders are settled here, where will the locals go.”

    “They want to vanish this (Dogra) identity and it is very surprising that not a single BJP leader speaks about it. The people from outside will settle here and take our land and jobs slowly,” the NC leader said.

    On the April 20 terrorist attack on an army truck in Poonch district that left five soldiers dead, Abdullah said contrary to the BJP’s claims, terrorism is still alive in Jammu and Kashmir. “Has terrorism been ever finished? They were claiming that terrorism is finished with the abrogation of Article 370 (in 2019). There is no Article 370 (now) but terrorism is still there,” the former chief minister said, adding that “terrorism had heightened in the region”.

    In 2019, the Centre had abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

    He said the killing of the five soldiers is a “shame for us and we regret the loss”.

    Supporting casual and need-based workers seeking regularisation, the NC leader said “The world is celebrating labour day and they (the administration) should think about the plight of these workers and how they are running the affairs of their families in the present times of high inflation”.

  • J&K: Farooq Abdullah re-elected National Conference president

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Farooq Abdullah was re-elected president of the National Conference (NC) for another term on Monday.

    The 85-year-old leader was unanimously elected the party’s chief at the NC’s delegate session held near the mausoleum of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Naseem Bagh here. The day also marked the 117th birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah.

    NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said only Abdullah’s nomination was received till the last date of filing the nominations.

    “A total of 183 proposals from Kashmir, 396 from Jammu and 25 proposals from Ladakh were received in support of Farooq Abdullah,” Sagar said.

    The senior leader had recently expressed a desire to step down from the post owing to his health.

    The party then set the presidential election process into motion and said the new president would be elected at the party’s delegate session.

    It said the party’s internal elections had already been concluded. The last NC presidential elections took place five years ago.

    ‘Let people decide’

    Speaking at the event, the octogenarian said boycotting the panchayat polls in 2018 was “a huge mistake” and the party must contest every future election in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “I want to tell the party that boycotting the panchayat elections (in 2018) was a huge mistake. Remember this, we will not boycott any coming election. Instead (we will) contest and win them,” he said. 

    Referring to his son Omar Abdullah’s announcement that he would not contest elections as long as Jammu and Kashmir remained a Union Territory, the senior Abdullah said, “As party president, I am telling you (Omar Abdullah) that you have to contest the election.”

    “Because if we have to fight them, then we all have to jump into the fray and contest elections,” he added.

    The former Union minister said the BJP “will do anything, even make attempts to buy your loyalties, but God will fail all their designs.”

    Abdullah also warned the security forces and the government not to interfere in the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said “let people decide whom to vote for.”

    “Otherwise there will be such a storm, which you will not be able to control,” he said.

    Abdullah also threatened to launch an agitation in case such a thing occurred. “We will be ready to sacrifice our lives. Farooq Abdullah will be the first to start an agitation over it,” he said.

    SRINAGAR: Farooq Abdullah was re-elected president of the National Conference (NC) for another term on Monday.

    The 85-year-old leader was unanimously elected the party’s chief at the NC’s delegate session held near the mausoleum of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Naseem Bagh here. The day also marked the 117th birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah.

    NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said only Abdullah’s nomination was received till the last date of filing the nominations.

    “A total of 183 proposals from Kashmir, 396 from Jammu and 25 proposals from Ladakh were received in support of Farooq Abdullah,” Sagar said.

    The senior leader had recently expressed a desire to step down from the post owing to his health.

    The party then set the presidential election process into motion and said the new president would be elected at the party’s delegate session.

    It said the party’s internal elections had already been concluded. The last NC presidential elections took place five years ago.

    ‘Let people decide’

    Speaking at the event, the octogenarian said boycotting the panchayat polls in 2018 was “a huge mistake” and the party must contest every future election in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “I want to tell the party that boycotting the panchayat elections (in 2018) was a huge mistake. Remember this, we will not boycott any coming election. Instead (we will) contest and win them,” he said. 

    Referring to his son Omar Abdullah’s announcement that he would not contest elections as long as Jammu and Kashmir remained a Union Territory, the senior Abdullah said, “As party president, I am telling you (Omar Abdullah) that you have to contest the election.”

    “Because if we have to fight them, then we all have to jump into the fray and contest elections,” he added.

    The former Union minister said the BJP “will do anything, even make attempts to buy your loyalties, but God will fail all their designs.”

    Abdullah also warned the security forces and the government not to interfere in the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said “let people decide whom to vote for.”

    “Otherwise there will be such a storm, which you will not be able to control,” he said.

    Abdullah also threatened to launch an agitation in case such a thing occurred. “We will be ready to sacrifice our lives. Farooq Abdullah will be the first to start an agitation over it,” he said.

  • Will fight next assembly elections: former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Having already announced his decision to step down as president of the National Conference, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he will be contesting the next assembly elections.

    Abdullah, who on Friday had announced he will be relinquishing the presidency of NC next month, said he is not escaping the responsibility and will continue to work to strengthen the party.

    “Insha Allah, I am going to fight the next Assembly elections whenever held (in J&K),” Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a function organised to welcome new entrants into the party.

    Several prominent political activists, including Gurjeet Sharma from Nagrota, joined the National Conference in presence of Abdullah and Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta.

    Asked about the next party president, he said the National Conference is a democratic party and the party elections will take place on December 5 to elect a new leader.

    “People will file their nominations and the party delegates will decide who will be the next party president. I am going to contest the Assembly elections,” he said.

    He said the NC is ready for the assembly elections and will emerge as a victor to pull out J&K from its troubles.

    “Let them announce the dates, we will show them where they stand,” he said, apparently referring to the BJP which has claimed it will win 50-plus seats in the next assembly elections.

    Abdullah said the time has come for the youth to take the lead in the party.

    “Whatever was possible from me, I have done that. I am not escaping as I am a party man and will remain so. I will continue to work for the success of the party. Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold,”  he said their joining will further strengthen the party at the grass-roots level.

    “We will together strengthen the National Conference and will address all the issues of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    Referring to 1996, when the National Conference formed the state government under his leadership, he said the party worked hard to bring J&K back on track at a time when everything was finished and only his party was on the ground.

    “What the National Conference has done is history. When we came back to power in 1996, gun and bomb attacks were taking place everywhere schools were closed and there were no roads and bridges.

    “We restored order, reopened closed schools by deploying ‘Rahbar-e-Taleem’ teachers, posted 300 doctors in far-flung areas and also restored the damaged infrastructure to bring J&K back on track,” he said, adding that parties which were nowhere then were trying to claim credit today.

    He urged the people to join hands with the National Conference to pull out Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that it marches alongside the rest of the country.

    JAMMU: Having already announced his decision to step down as president of the National Conference, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he will be contesting the next assembly elections.

    Abdullah, who on Friday had announced he will be relinquishing the presidency of NC next month, said he is not escaping the responsibility and will continue to work to strengthen the party.

    “Insha Allah, I am going to fight the next Assembly elections whenever held (in J&K),” Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a function organised to welcome new entrants into the party.

    Several prominent political activists, including Gurjeet Sharma from Nagrota, joined the National Conference in presence of Abdullah and Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta.

    Asked about the next party president, he said the National Conference is a democratic party and the party elections will take place on December 5 to elect a new leader.

    “People will file their nominations and the party delegates will decide who will be the next party president. I am going to contest the Assembly elections,” he said.

    He said the NC is ready for the assembly elections and will emerge as a victor to pull out J&K from its troubles.

    “Let them announce the dates, we will show them where they stand,” he said, apparently referring to the BJP which has claimed it will win 50-plus seats in the next assembly elections.

    Abdullah said the time has come for the youth to take the lead in the party.

    “Whatever was possible from me, I have done that. I am not escaping as I am a party man and will remain so. I will continue to work for the success of the party. Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold,”  he said their joining will further strengthen the party at the grass-roots level.

    “We will together strengthen the National Conference and will address all the issues of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    Referring to 1996, when the National Conference formed the state government under his leadership, he said the party worked hard to bring J&K back on track at a time when everything was finished and only his party was on the ground.

    “What the National Conference has done is history. When we came back to power in 1996, gun and bomb attacks were taking place everywhere schools were closed and there were no roads and bridges.

    “We restored order, reopened closed schools by deploying ‘Rahbar-e-Taleem’ teachers, posted 300 doctors in far-flung areas and also restored the damaged infrastructure to bring J&K back on track,” he said, adding that parties which were nowhere then were trying to claim credit today.

    He urged the people to join hands with the National Conference to pull out Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that it marches alongside the rest of the country.

  • Farooq Abdullah hits out at BJP over ‘normalcy claims’, says killings won’t stop until ‘justice’ is served 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at BJP over its claims of normalcy post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said the killings will never stop until “justice” is served.

    Abdullah, who is a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, said had the situation been improved on the ground, another innocent Kashmiri pandit would not have been killed.

    “It (killings) will never stop as long as there is be no justice,” he told reporters in a brief interaction when asked about his reaction to the latest target killing of a Kashmiri pandit by terrorists in Shopian.

    Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists on Saturday outside his ancestral house in the Chowdhary Gund area of the south Kashmir’s district, where he had gone to look after his orchards.

    Abdullah did not elaborate what “justice” he was talking about, but he was apparently referring to the restoration of Article 370 abrogated by the Centre.

    The National Conference chief had gone to Reasi to express condolences with his party colleague and former minister Jagjeevan Lal on the demise of his sister, and the family of former bureaucrat Babu Lal who had recently passed away.

    “They were making noises that this (terrorism) was the result of Article 370. Today, there is no Article 370 but why such killings are then taking place and who is responsible?” Abdullah, a former J-K chief minister, said.

    The BJP-led government at the centre abrogated Article 370, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

    The National Conference, along with four other parties including the PDP, are fighting for the restoration of the special status under the banner of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    “If the situation had improved (as claimed by the BJP), this innocent pandit would not have been killed. Where is the improved situation as I don’t see it,” he said.

    JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at BJP over its claims of normalcy post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said the killings will never stop until “justice” is served.

    Abdullah, who is a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, said had the situation been improved on the ground, another innocent Kashmiri pandit would not have been killed.

    “It (killings) will never stop as long as there is be no justice,” he told reporters in a brief interaction when asked about his reaction to the latest target killing of a Kashmiri pandit by terrorists in Shopian.

    Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists on Saturday outside his ancestral house in the Chowdhary Gund area of the south Kashmir’s district, where he had gone to look after his orchards.

    Abdullah did not elaborate what “justice” he was talking about, but he was apparently referring to the restoration of Article 370 abrogated by the Centre.

    The National Conference chief had gone to Reasi to express condolences with his party colleague and former minister Jagjeevan Lal on the demise of his sister, and the family of former bureaucrat Babu Lal who had recently passed away.

    “They were making noises that this (terrorism) was the result of Article 370. Today, there is no Article 370 but why such killings are then taking place and who is responsible?” Abdullah, a former J-K chief minister, said.

    The BJP-led government at the centre abrogated Article 370, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

    The National Conference, along with four other parties including the PDP, are fighting for the restoration of the special status under the banner of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    “If the situation had improved (as claimed by the BJP), this innocent pandit would not have been killed. Where is the improved situation as I don’t see it,” he said.

  • National Conference’s fight against abrogation of Article 370 still on, says Farooq Abdullah

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Monday said the party is fighting a legal and a political battle against the abrogation of Article 370 at multiple-levels as he urged people to play their part by registering as voters for the imminent state election.

    Abdullah’s remarks came in Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district where he made a brief stopover while on way to Chenab valley for a four-day tour.

    Interacting with party workers, he urged them to get eligible youths to get registered as voters in their respective areas.

    “The party is fighting a just, democratic, legal, and political battle against the decisions of August 5, 2019 at multiple levels,” Abdullah said, referring to the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

    The former Union minister, however, said that the people of J-K will also have to play their role by registering and subsequently coming out in large numbers to vote, whenever elections are held.

    “Our region is at crossroads, it requires us to remain united as never before. It also requires our party men to educate and inform people about the designs of the anti-JK forces,” he added.

    SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah Monday said the party is fighting a legal and a political battle against the abrogation of Article 370 at multiple-levels as he urged people to play their part by registering as voters for the imminent state election.

    Abdullah’s remarks came in Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district where he made a brief stopover while on way to Chenab valley for a four-day tour.

    Interacting with party workers, he urged them to get eligible youths to get registered as voters in their respective areas.

    “The party is fighting a just, democratic, legal, and political battle against the decisions of August 5, 2019 at multiple levels,” Abdullah said, referring to the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union territories.

    The former Union minister, however, said that the people of J-K will also have to play their role by registering and subsequently coming out in large numbers to vote, whenever elections are held.

    “Our region is at crossroads, it requires us to remain united as never before. It also requires our party men to educate and inform people about the designs of the anti-JK forces,” he added.