SRINAGAR, Oct 8: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday stressed the importance of respecting the democratic mandate of the people in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Centre and the Raj Bhavan to refrain from any political manipulation or interference. Speaking to reporters as early vote-counting trends indicated the NC’s lead over the BJP and other rivals, Abdullah emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process.
“There must be transparency in all actions. The people’s mandate should be respected and not tampered with. If the results go against the BJP, they must not resort to ‘jugaad’ (manipulation) or any other form of machinations to alter the outcome,” Abdullah stated. He insisted that both the Centre and the Raj Bhavan must honor the decision of the electorate in the same way the NC had accepted the results of previous Parliamentary elections.
Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from the Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies, expressed optimism about his party’s prospects, particularly given its alliance with the Congress. “We remain hopeful for a win, but ultimately, it is in the hands of the people and God. By noon, we will have a clearer picture of what the voters in Jammu and Kashmir have decided,” he added.
When questioned about the provision allowing the Lieutenant Governor (LG) to nominate five members to the assembly, Abdullah argued that such decisions should be made based on the advice of an elected government. He noted that some legal experts, including one who had previously assisted the NC on the Ladakh symbol issue in the Lok Sabha elections, have asserted that the LG does not possess the authority to nominate MLAs independently. This power, according to Abdullah, belongs to an elected government once the assembly is in place.
Abdullah referenced the constitutional precedent set at the national level, explaining, “In Parliament, when Pranab Mukherjee was President—a position he held under the Congress—nominations were made based on the advice of the Modi government, not the Congress. The LG should similarly adhere to the Constitution and fill these five seats only on the advice of the elected assembly.”
Regarding speculation about a possible alliance between the NC-Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for government formation, Abdullah clarified that no such discussion had taken place. “We have neither sought support from the PDP nor received any indication from them. We should wait for the final results before jumping to any conclusions. At this point, no party has a clear majority,” he explained.
Commenting on the early trends showing a lead for his party, the NC leader remained cautious, citing past experiences. “I don’t rely on early trends. During the last Lok Sabha elections, early results suggested I was winning, but the situation changed later. We will have a clearer picture after noon,” Abdullah said, maintaining a measured stance as vote counting progressed.