Ready for Assembly poll: Omar Abdullah

Jammu, November 28

National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday said he supported a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 census data “rather than one driven by political motives”, even as he asserted his party was ready for Assembly elections, which are yet to be announced.

He also said his party never believed in provoking the public and added that people get annoyed when there was a mistake on part of the government. “Getting ready for elections or holding elections is the responsibility of the Election Commission. Our (Assembly) elections have already been delayed for a long time as the last polls were held in 2014 and seven years have already passed,” the former CM said in Doda.

He said his party was ready for the polls and would announce its candidates with the sounding of the poll bugle. “After that it is up to the people how long they are willing to accompany us. We have to convince them of that.”

Asked about the ongoing delimitation process and the central government’s promise of holding the Assembly poll, Abdullah said: “It (delimitation) should not be conducted on the basis of politics. It should be carried out on the basis of the Census. There will be no objection from anybody if the delimitation is done in accordance with the 2011 census data.” — PTI