Omar Abdullah: Ladakh Lok Sabha Seat to be Discussed in INDIA Alliance

National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah revealed that the decision on who will contest the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat will be a part of the discussions during the seat-sharing arrangement of the INDIA bloc for next year’s general elections. He emphasized that his party firmly stands with the opposition alliance.

Addressing questions about a potential pre-poll alliance between the National Conference and Congress following the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil election, Abdullah stated, “You do not have an assembly… so the road starts and ends here.” He reiterated, “We are in the INDIA alliance. When there will be a talk of seat sharing, definitely this (Ladakh parliamentary seat) will come up for discussion.”

Abdullah, who is currently on a two-day campaign in support of NC candidates for the October 4 LAHDC-Kargil election, confirmed that the NC and the Congress are contesting the election together. He recalled that his party had supported Congress in the 2019 parliamentary elections but lost the seat to BJP.

Abdullah alleged that he had to leave his security at the Zero Point en-route to Kargil and Drass to address the public meeting on the directions of the authorities. He mentioned that this visit marked his third trip to Kargil after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories – Ladakh and JandK.

He commented, “This is the first time that I had to leave my security at Zero Point. I do not have any grudge as I know they (BJP) are panicking. I know the people are with us, and we have full faith in the Almighty.”

The National Conference claimed that Abdullah’s security was halted at Zero Point near Mini Marg, the entry point to Ladakh on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. The party issued a statement asserting, “Ladakh UT administration’s cowardice was seen today when JandK NC Vice President Omar Abdullah’s convoy was stopped at Zero Point Mini Marg, and his security was not allowed to proceed.” The party also alleged that the party vice president was “forced” to proceed without security for his two-day visit to Kargil.

(This story has not been edited by Smartkhabrinews staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)