SRINAGAR: The Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Omar Abdullah, has dismissed the claims of the ruling dispensation regarding the National Conference’s decline in Ladakh. Instead, he asserted that the NC is on track for a significant victory in the upcoming Ladakh Hill Development Council (LHDC) elections.
“People of Kargil view these council elections not merely as general elections but as an opportunity to convey a message to both the local administration and the entire nation. We believe the events of 5th August 2019 were wrongful, undemocratic, unconstitutional, and did not align with their aspirations,” Omar said.
Omar Abdullah expressed these sentiments while addressing election gatherings and rallies in Dras and other locales during his daily tour of Kargil. Joining him in addressing the gathering were Party Assistant General Secretary Qamar Ali Akhoon, Senior Leader Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Treasurer Shami Oberoi, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, and Chief Spokesperson Tanveer Sadiq.
He pointed out that while council elections are proceeding as scheduled in Kargil, uncertainty prevails in Jammu and Kashmir regarding the timing, or even the occurrence, of elections. The BJP, he noted, appears hesitant to hold elections due to diminishing public support in their supposed stronghold, the Jammu plains.
Anticipating the most substantial victory in the history of the Ladakh Hill Development Council elections (Kargil), Omar Abdullah affirmed his commitment to continue advocating for the concerns of Kargil residents, even after the abrogation. He praised the people of Kargil for their unwavering support and emphasised that the plough symbol, despite opposition from the Ladakh administration aligned with the BJP, prevailed.
Omar Abdullah criticised attempts to manipulate the rules from New Delhi, altering the number of nominated seats, in a bid to secure control of the Kargil council. Nevertheless, he asserted that such efforts would be futile because the people of Kargil view this election as a means to send a message, not just to the local administration but to the entire nation, that the events of August 5, 2019, should never recur.
He reiterated his warnings to the people of Leh, suggesting that the removal of Article 370 would have adverse consequences for Leh and Jammu. His words reflected the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where jobs, contracts, and administration have been outsourced in Ladakh and Jammu. The people now aspire to reverse these actions through their votes.
