NC to contest Lok Sabha poll alone, says Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said the party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election independently.

The announcement came at a time when there was an uncertainty in the opposition INDIA alliance’s seat sharing in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NC is one of the three parties of the INDIA alliance in Jammu and Kashmir along with Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Our party will contest seats on its own and there is no doubt about it. I think both parliamentary and Assembly elections will happen at the same time. We will fight on our strength,” Abdullah said at a press conference in Srinagar.

On Pakistan situation, the Member Parliament from Srinagar said that a stable neighbour is necessary for India.

“Stable Pakistan is necessary for the whole of India and unstable Pakistan is not good for India,” he said.

The NC President said over the years, a large number of innocents have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. Laying thrust on the importance of peace, he said, “Neighboring country should also realize that peace is a must.”

Abdullah said the government should handle the agitation of farmers with sympathy.

“The government earlier came up with three bills that caused huge agitation and led to the martyrdom of 760 farmers. Despite the opposition asking the government to relook at the bills, the government brought them in the parliament. The bills, however, were taken back when the UP elections came nearer,” he said.

The former Chief Minister said the government should have a sympathetic look at the farmers’ agitation.

“Now general elections are coming. Farmers are out. Don’t know what the Centre will do.Hope they would act wisely,” he added.

Discussing the electoral bonds decision of the Supreme Court, the NC President said, “The Apex Court decision would provide level playing field to all. Now they (BJP) should disclose how much they have got and who have funded them.”

“People should know from where money power has come and how much money power the party has.”

Abdullah condemned target killings of non-local labourers, saying, “This is a heinous crime and I vehemently condemn such killings.”

“I have seen enough and in my party, hundreds of party workers have been killed.”

He described the Enforcement Directorate summons to him as routine.

“I am under ED scanner. What do I say! I was also called recently and I will soon depose at their office,” he said.