In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah, has claimed that his party will win the next assem-bly elections in the territory, indicating for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 that NC would participate in the polls.
According to Kashmir Media Service, “We will win and I am telling you this with authority that if they conduct polls in a free and fair manner, then the National Conference will be the biggest party here,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
The NC chief, who represents the Srinagar con-stituency of Indian Parliament, however, regretted his party’s non-participation in the 2018 panchayat polls and the 2019 Block Development Council elections.
“Our party did not contest the polls and I regret it. We should have (contested) and we will in the future, God willing,” he said.
Abdullah asked the Panchayati Raj Institutions members to remain in touch with the people and listen to their problems, and not behave like bureau-crats who, he said, do not come to the rescue of people.
He expressed anguish over IIOJK administra-tion officials not responding to calls of people. Ab-dullah added that soon a government will be formed which will make officers accountable.
“They will be accountable tomorrow for what they have done. Today, they think of themselves as kings, but they are not kings, they are the servants of people who have to work for the people,” he said.—KMS
