SRINAGAR:While the election for Srinagar Parliamentary seat is likely to be held in April next year, the opposition National Conference has decided to field Dr Farooq Abdullah. The Srinagar Parliamentary seat fell vacant after Tariq Hamid Karra resigned.
Interestingly Farooq himself mde the anniuncement in a recent party meet.
Addressing party workers in Srinagar, the National Conference Patron said, “It might be my last election. You have to remember it when you vote in April and ensure my success.”
Sources said in this meeting Farooq invoked Sheikh Abdullah and rrminded party workers of the promises made to NC founder that the party will be strengthened.
In the last Parliamentary elections, Farooq Abdullah lost seat to its rival Tariq Hamid Karra with a margin of 41913 votes. Karra had fought then elections on PDP ticket while NC President faced his first ever defeat in his political career.
Tariq Hamid Karra got 157546 while the NC stalwart FarooqAbdullah secured 115363 votes out of 12 lakh electorates of the Lok Sabha constituency which recorded voting of 26 percent.
Fourteen candidates were in the fray but the main contest was between NC and the PDP represented by Farooq Abdullah and Tariq Hamid Karra respectively.
Before that Abdullah had never lost an election in his political career spanning over 32 years.
Farooq Abdullah’s recent statement according to party insiders are part of his election campaign.
He asked his workers for allegiance to Hurriyat and be part of the unrest. “I want to tell Hurriyat leaders not to go separate but be united and we are standing with you. Don’t consider us as your enemies. As long as you (separatists) won’t follow the wrong path, we will support you in this cause,” Farooq said in his address while paying tributes to NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
“He has been giving Kashmir centric statements keeping in view of the upcoming elections. He wants to please separatists which may help him in elections,” an NC leader said.
Sources said the NC has been seeking feedback from the party workers about the elections. “Leaders and workers from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal have been told to launch a campaign against the ruling parties to ensure Farooq’s win in the elections,” the NC leader said.
Early Times Report