Srinagar, (CNI): National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that his father Farooq Abdullah’s non-contestation in the Lok Sabha polls does not signal the end of his electoral career.
“With my father, I’ve learned over time that you never say never. So to the last breath, and may God grant him many more of them, never write him off for anything,” Umar told.
The vice-president of the National Conference was responding to a question on whether senior Abdullah could return when the Assembly elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to a question about his sons – Zahir and Zamir – being groomed for active politics, the former JK chief minister said he had done nothing to warrant such an assumption.
As for my sons, what did they do? Have they made speeches, have they got a mandate, have they done any active politics? As a son or grandson, they help wherever needed. We hosted a party (iftar party), if they help as part of the family, being the host, is there any problem?” he said.
“He is a trained lawyer. Once the party takes legal advice from him, where is the harm? But, have you seen him actively campaigning for the mandate? I haven’t seen it,” he said. Omar added.
Accusing his BJP rivals of promoting dynastic politics, Umar said the ruling party at the Center has no problem with political families as a fifth of its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls come from such families.
Look, I can’t help the propaganda. But I maintain that BJP has no problem with families in politics. BJP’s problem is with families who oppose BJP.
/”Otherwise, you tell me, don’t BJP have dynasties in politics? I was reading a newspaper article the other day which suggested that the mandates that the BJP has distributed in this parliamentary election are A fifth of them belong to BJP political families.
“How is it that Pawar Sahib’s family is a family party, but Ajit Pawar is not family? When Ajit Pawar’s wife fights against Supriya Sole, it is not family politics? BJP has no problem with that. ” said the politician, and drew similar examples from the Thackeray family and N Chandrababu Naidu’s family.
“When India’s home minister and others meet Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin Raj Thackeray, it is not family? What else is Thackeray surname? When BJP ally with Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu N TR’s son-in-law, that’s how he got into politics, isn’t it family? “How many second and third generation leaders are there in the BJP today… All these youngsters who are coming forward, whether it’s Sushma Swaraj Be it the daughter, or the minister from Himachal (Anurag Thakur), there is no end to how many names you want me to give you,” said the NC leader.(CNI)