Srinagar, Nov 7 (KNS): Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday hit back at National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah for claiming that the Apni Party had not fielded a candidate for the Nagrota bypoll.

Bukhari said Omar Abdullah was misleading people with “false statements” for political gain.

Reacting to Omar Abdullah’s remarks made during a public rally in Budgam, Bukhari said the Apni Party has fielded candidates in both Nagrota and Budgam constituencies, and that a public gathering was held in Nagrota just yesterday to seek support for the party candidate.

“Omar Abdullah should verify facts before making such baseless claims. The Apni Party has a candidate contesting from Nagrota, and the campaign is in full swing there as well as in Budgam,” Bukhari said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Earlier, addressing a rally in Budgam, Omar Abdullah had accused the PDP and the Apni Party of indirectly helping the BJP by “leaving the field open” in Nagrota. He had questioned why, if these parties were truly opposed to the BJP, they had no candidates contesting the bypoll.

Bukhari said such remarks were an attempt to mislead voters and divert attention from real issues. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are politically mature and will not fall for such rhetoric,” he added.

He said that the Apni Party remains committed to transparent politics and is contesting elections on both seats to represent the aspirations of the people.(KNS)