Farooq Abdullah steps down as National Conference chief

Farooq Abdullah has served as Jammu and Kashmir"s chief minister earlier.

NewsBharati 18-Nov-2022 16:10:33 PM

Total Views | 85

Srinagar, Nov 18: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has stepped down as the president of the National Conference. The move comes as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for polls.

Farooq Abdullah steps down as National Conference chief

"Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib has informed his colleagues of his decision to step down as president of JKNC. In spite of the best efforts of senior colleagues in the party Dr Sahib was adamant that he wouldn’t review his decision," read a party statement.

“In light of this sudden announcement which has caught everyone by surprise the party General Secretary, as per the party constitution, has been tasked with conducting the election for party president which will be completed on December 5. Until that time Dr Sahib continues as President of the party. (sic)," it further added.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah clarified that former chief minister and party president Farooq Abdullah has not resigned, but has informed about "not contesting" the upcoming party presidential elections.

"Dr Farooq Abdullah has not resigned as President of JKNC, he has only informed the party that he will not seek re-election to the post when elections are held," Omar Abdullah said mentioning that the elections were anyways going to be held in December.

"These elections were anyway going to be conducted in December this year. Dr Sahib will continue as president until the election process is completed. I appeal to all my colleagues to seriously consider filing their nominations for the post of the president so the best person from amongst us can steer the party through these turbulent times," Omar Abdullah continued in his post on Mastodon.

Jammu and Kashmir is expected to hold its first elections after Article 370 - that gave special status to J&K - was scrapped in 2019. Earlier this month, Farooq Abdullah had said that his party - the National Conference - was ready for polls.