The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday launched a scathing attack on Engineer Rashid, calling him an "agent" of the Centre. Abdullah said this while interacting with reporters in Shopian during an election rally.

When asked about Engineer Rashid's release from jail, Abdullah said, "You know this yourself. Everyone knows this. We are not afraid. No matter how many engineers are released, no one can destroy the National Conference."

The National Conference leader expressed his commitment to the people of Kashmir, saying, "I only have faith in Allah and I have faith in these people."

Dr Abdullah criticized PM Modi for his remarks on Muslim population growth, saying, "Muslims never steal anyone's Mangalsutra; they are committed and law-abiding people."

He emphasized that Muslims are not against India but against the forced imposition of religion and discrimination.

The National Conference leader condemned the "fake propaganda" spread by the BJP, alleging that they have "looted all of India."

He expressed concern over the aim of India being distorted to fuel fighting among communities. Dr Abdullah rejected the idea of an India where religion is used to discriminate and bulldozers are used to destroy Islamic schools.

Meanwhile, the NC patron also visited the residence of Bashir Ahmad Nengroo in Pulwama where a brief ceremony was held during which Bashir Nengroo announced his rejoining the National Conference.

While speaking to the media, Farooq Abdullah said the BJP is trying to divide people in the upcoming Assembly elections. He said the Centre is responsible for shattering the trust of people by taking decisions like August 5, 2019 (scrapping of Article 370).

SRINAGAR — For the first time in the electoral history of Jammu and Kashmir, three prominent former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir—Dr Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Mehbooba Mufti—have decided not to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

As per the news agency KNO, Dr Farooq Abdullah, a three-time Chief Minister, played a pivotal role in forging the alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Congress party but has chosen to remain out of the contest himself.

Similarly, Ghulam Nabi Azad, another three-time Chief Minister, has also opted out of the race. Azad had previously secured a record 62.86% of the vote from Bhaderwah in 2008, where he had been a popular figure, leaving many surprised by his decision to step back.

Mehbooba Mufti, the first woman to serve as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has also decided not to run for the Assembly seat. Mehbooba, who began her political journey as an MLA from Bijbehara in 1996, became a significant figure in J&K politics when she took over the reins of the State in 2016. This year, however, her daughter, Iltija Mufti, is contesting from the Bijbehara seat.

Mehbooba's decision has sparked discussions about the future of her party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), in the Union Territory. Citing the constraints posed by Jammu and Kashmir’s current political status as a Union Territory, she expressed doubts about fulfilling her party’s agenda if elected.

Mehbooba Mufti highlighted her efforts during her previous tenure as Chief Minister, including the withdrawal of FIRs against 12,000 people and attempts to engage separatists in dialogue, actions she believes would be challenging to replicate under the present circumstances.

Mehbooba also commented on the NC-Congress alliance, stating that their union is motivated purely by power, unlike her previous alliances which were formed based on specific agendas, such as maintaining Article 370 and initiating talks with Pakistan and Hurriyat.

Meanwhile, a senior PDP leader said that the party president's decision to not contest the polls proves the commitment of the party towards the people of this region. "Mehbooba Ji had already stated on record that she will not step inside the Assembly that has been disenfranchised and downgraded beyond imagination. She has once again proven that she would not backtrack from her stand unlike those who change their stances every now and then," says the PDP leader.

SRINAGAR — The Congress leadership is set to hold deliberations with the National Conference on Monday to iron out differences over seat-sharing for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

Congress general secretary organisation, K C Venugopal will hold talks with NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah at their residence here, leaders in both parties said.

They said the meeting was necessitated after “some differences” cropped up in seat-sharing arrangement during the talks between the local leadership of the parties. The leaders said both the parties have agreed over the seat-sharing formula to a large extent.

“The central leaders of Congress will meet our leadership to talk about the alliance. Some clarification is needed on some issues, and this will be done today,” NC provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters outside the residence of the Abdullahs.

“Two parties have to contest the election together, there are many issues. We have to keep in mind the party cadre on the ground, we also have to consider the strength of the parties in specific seats,” he added.

Wani, however, said the seat-sharing issues will not have any impact on the alliance. “Had we known the elections would be conducted, we would have sorted these things beforehand,” the NC leader said.

Pertinently, polls to the 90-member J-K Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, while results will be announced on October 4.

SRINAGAR — In the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, the regional National Conference (NC) has formally entered into a pre-poll bonhomie with Congress and CPI(M) ahead of the Assembly polls, ending the long stalemate in this regard. The final papers between the parties are scheduled to be signed on Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day, the Congress top brass including its national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the NC leadership at Dr Farooq Abdullah’s residence here in Gupkar. Other leaders from the two parties who were present in the meeting include NC vice president Omar Abdullah, J&K PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC General Secretary (Org) K C Venugopal and NC provincial president Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani.

As soon as the meeting ended, Dr Farooq spoke to the media persons and announced the pre-poll alliance with the Congress and CPI(M) parties.

Pertinently, the three parties in Jammu and Kashmir have also fought the Lok Sabha elections together and managed to secure two seats in Kashmir and lost three others—one in Kashmir and two in Jammu division.

Addressing the media persons, as per the news agency KNO, Dr Farooq said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the pre-poll alliance was given the final shape. “The pre-poll alliance will be on all the 90 Assembly seats in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said while adding that NC-Congress and CPI(M) will fight the elections jointly.

The NC leader and party’s Provincial President Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was present during the meeting with Congress leadership, said that the pre-poll alliance has been finalized. He also said that the PDP would not be part of the pre-poll alliance.

However, Wani didn’t divulge anything related to the seat sharing between the parties.

Pertinently, Rahul while addressing the workers at a local hotel here hinted at the pre-poll alliance even before the announcement and meeting with NC leadership. However, he stated that the alliance will not be formed at the cost of Congress workers’ and leaders’ interest.

Rahul along with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge commenced his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. He arrived in Srinagar yesterday afternoon and attended the workers convention in Srinagar, which was followed by a press conference. He later met NC leadership and left for Jammu where he attended a Congress workers' convention.

SRINAGAR — National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he will participate in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah, as per the news agency KNO, said that he will contest the Assembly polls and that once the statehood is restored, he will step down and his son Omar Abdullah will contest from the seat.

He said that the Statehood has been promised by the Central government and all parties are seeking complete restoration at the earliest.

Abdullah, while reacting to the poll schedule, said that it is better as it will expose the readiness of parties for the elections. He said that any decision over pre-poll alliance will be taken by the party after holding threadbare deliberations.

The Election Commission of India on Friday announced three-phase polls, which were long overdue in Jammu and Kashmir, with the first phase being held on September 18, the second phase on September 25 and the third phase on October 1.

The election results will be announced on October 4 along with Haryana Assembly results, which will go to polls on October 1.

SRINAGAR — The Opposition party leaders meeting, which was slated to be held on August 7, has been postponed.

National Conference (NC) President, Dr Farooq Abdullah has expressed his inability to attend the meeting scheduled on August 7 at Jammu, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said.

Dr Farooq Abdullah has suggested for postponement of the meeting, Tarigami informed. "As such, this meeting is postponed," he said.