Omar Abdullah, the likely new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday thanked voters for their participation in the election despite the challenges to democracy in the region over the past 8 to 10 years.
Speaking to the media in Srinagar on Wednesday, the National Conference Vice President said, “Democracy has not been allowed to thrive in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 8 to 10 years.”
He expressed gratitude to the voters for casting their votes thoughtfully and sensibly.
Omar Abdullah noted that the National Conference, along with its alliance partners, secured a majority in the elections. The party is expected to call a meeting of its elected members in the coming days to formally choose the party leader.
Omar himself won from both the Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies, positioning him as the likely next Chief Minister.
He acknowledged that voters acted with careful consideration, particularly in regions where attempts were made to divide the vote by fielding independent candidates and small parties.
“The voters of Kashmir, along with the Pahari community in Jammu, courageously resisted these conspiracies,” Omar said, adding that, “More than 40 percent of the candidates contesting the elections were independents, but except for two or three, all failed to win.”
“Our responsibility starts now. The voters have done their duty, and it is our turn to work and prove ourselves worthy of their trust,” he added.
