Srinagar, Oct 14 (KNS): J&K CM Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that parties not participating in the upcoming elections will indirectly help the BJP, urging political groups in the INDIA bloc to come together to ensure BJP's defeat in all three contested seats.
Addressing the media, Abdullah said, “Not voting for the National Conference would mean that the BJP is being helped. We want the BJP to lose on all three seats, and for that, we need everyone's help.”
He referred to Sajad Lone’s decision to not participate in the elections. “Sajad Lone has decided to stay out of the elections. He will not vote. You and I know who will benefit from it. I cannot say what was the compulsion, but I appeal to the rest not to stay out of the elections.”
Abdullah said the contest is between the National Conference and the BJP, and that there is no third contender. “This is a direct competition between the National Conference and the BJP,” he said. “If Sajad Lone really wants to defeat the BJP, then he should vote for us. It is beneficial for the BJP when others remain out.”
He added, “Before accusing us, he should see what he is doing. If he wants to defeat the BJP, then he should vote.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWhy should he be out of the elections?”
Abdullah also discussed candidate selection. “We will decide the candidates. After deciding the candidates, we will tell people about the work we have done in the past year and our plans for the next four years. We will put forward a candidate and hope the people of Bargam will support it.”
He said that the National Conference is also preparing for the Nagrota election. “We hope there will be a National Conference candidate there as well. We will try to win that seat.”.
Speaking on alliance strategies, Abdullah said, “We did not want to put our candidate on the fourth seat. We tried our best to get the Congress to fight for it because it was the best time for success if the Congress had contested.”
“But the Congress decided not to fight, so we were forced to put our candidate on the fourth seat. We are still hoping for victory.”
He appealed to other INDIA bloc members, including the PDP, to support the NC. “Even though we fought against each other a year ago, the direct competition now is between the National Conference and the BJP. So we hope the PDP votes in favour of the NC candidate.”(KNS)