SRINAGAR: National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that the party high command will decide on his Lok Sabha mandate. He stated that the party leadership will determine whether he will be allowed to contest elections and from which constituency. Speaking to reporters at Nawa-e-Subh in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah reiterated, “The party will decide on my Lok Sabha mandate. Rumors are common during election time. It is the party that will make the decision on whether I will contest polls and from which parliamentary constituency.” Omar emphasized, “It is not up to me personally. The party has to decide on my mandate. I will leave it to the party.” Earlier, rumors circulated that former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would contest polls from North Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency. Similar rumors suggested that the National Conference would nominate a local leader from Kupwara for the Baramulla Parliamentary seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, leading Omar Abdullah to contest from Central Kashmir’s Srinagar. Responding to queries, the NC leader stated that the party would announce the list of candidates at an appropriate time and that it was premature to disclose names at this stage. “The timing of announcing the list of candidates depends on our discretion. Hopefully, the list will be announced after notification, or perhaps it will be made public closer to the last date for filing nominations. So, let’s not rush,” added Omar Abdullah. He also mentioned that the INDI Alliance is scheduled to hold a convention at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on April 1st, in which NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah will participate.
