Srinagar, Sep 18 :
Welcoming the visible voter enthusiasm in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election on Wednesday, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that people were waiting for the past 10 years to exercise their democratic voting right.
“It is a good thing that people have come out to vote very early,” Omar told media in Srinagar on Wednesday.
In reply to a question Omar said, “The people were waiting for the past 10 years for the day. We could not understand why people were kept away from their democratic right and why this right was snatched from us.”
He said more the votes are polled the better it is for democracy and for the National Conference.
“I spoke to my party workers and came to know that heavy voting is taking place in favour of the National Conference in every segment,” he claimed and added, “We hope for the success in these elections”.
“There are several issues in these elections and we tried to talk to the people on these,” Omar said and added, “If they vote for us for the next five years what we could do for them.. Let us wait till October 8 when results will be declared.” Omar urged people to come out and vote sensibly to select their candidate.
He claimed that Awami Itihad Party (AIP) Chief Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, in an interview has lifted the curtain and had said that his doors are not closed for anybody.
“It means that tomorrow for the formation of the government Rashid will help the BJP,” Omar said.
“Engineer Rashid is contesting elections in coalition with Jamaat-e-Islami and it is evident that Jammat will also help BJP… it is a matter of concern and people should exercise their franchise very sensibly,” Omar added.
Polling began at 7 am at all 3,276 polling stations across 24 constituencies across seven districts in J&K.
A total of 23.27 lakh voters are eligible to vote to decide the electoral fate of 219 candidates in this phase of the elections.
Assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, September 25 and on October 1. The counting will take place on October 8.
