Leaders detained, won’t contest BDC polls: NC

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 6

The National Conference today said it would not fight the upcoming Block Development Council polls with its top leadership still under detention. 

After meeting incarcerated party leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, NC provincial president Devender Rana said his party would not take part in the BDC elections unless all party leaders were released. 

“The NC would strive for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and shall continue to work for communal harmony and brotherhood,” he told the media outside Farooq’s residence after he led a delegation of party leaders from Jammu to meet the former Chief Minister. The meeting lasted 30 minutes. The delegation then headed for Hari Niwas Guest House to meet Omar Abdullah. Asked if the NC would participate in the elections if its leaders were released, Rana replied: “Let them first release the leaders.The party working committee will then meet and formulate a strategy”.

Hasnain Masoodi, MP, who was part of the delegation, claimed his objective was to meet the detained  leaders to enquire about their well-being and “seek instructions.” Farooq, booked under the PSA, and Omar are in preventive detention. They have not yet challenged their detention in court. The MP ruled out participation in any political activity “at a time when the leadership is behind bars.”

15-MEMBER DELEGATION MEETS PARTY CHIEF

The delegation, led by provincial president Devender Rana, was with the former Chief Minister for 30 minutes. Rana said the party would continue to strive for people’s welfare and communal harmony

OMAR TAKES SELFIE WITH PARTY MPS 

A bearded Omar Abdullah clicked a selfie with party MPs Justice Hasnain Masoodi (retd) and Akbar Lone. After the selfie, he returned to Hari Niwas Guest House, which has been declared a sub-jail

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