Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday pinned the blame for the National Conference’s drubbing in the five-phased state assembly polls on the recent devastating floods and on the anti-incumbency factor.
“There was a factor of anti-incumbency against the National Conference, also, we had to pay the price of J-K floods. We couldn’t have performed better under the given circumstances. It is not ours, but the PDP’s failure, as they didn’t get a clear majority,” said Omar.
Earlier today, Omar won from the Beerwah assembly constituency in the state, but was defeated by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ashraf Mir in Sonawar.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, however, said he was aware that Sonawar would prove to be difficult for the party.
Denying any alliance formation with other parties, he added that his party was ready to play the role of a constructive opposition.
“We haven’t received any offer, nor are we looking for one. We are ready to play the role of a constructive opposition for six years,” Omar stated.
He also took a swipe at former alliance partner Congress, saying the latter had proved that there were neither permanent friends nor rivals in politics.
“PDP and Congress would not be able to form their government with these numbers. Congress has proved there are neither permanent friends nor rivals in politics,” he remarked.
With no clear mandate in sight in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP was leading the race, as per latest reports, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) close on its heels, as the state headed towards a hung assembly.
The PDP is leading in 28 seats, while the BJP is ahead in 25 seats till now.
Meanwhile, trends show that the National Conference is leading in 15 seats, a change of 13 since the 2008 assembly polls, whereas, the Congress is ahead in 12 seats.
