85-year-old Farooq not to contest election for post of NC president
SRINAGAR: Veteran politician and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah Friday announced his decision to step down from the post of National Conference president, saying it is time to hand over the mantle to the new generation.
There is widespread speculation that 85-year-old Abdullah will assume the role of party patron and his son Omar Abdullah, currently the party’s vicepresident, is likely to succeed him as the new chief.
“I will not be contesting for the post of president any longer. The elections for the post will be held on December 5. It is time for the new generation to take over the responsibilities,” Abdullah told PTI.
“Anyone from the party can contest for the post. It is a democratic exercise,” Abdullah, who is a Lok Sabha MP, said.
Farooq Abdullah became National Conference president for the first time in 1983. With his stepping down, the party’s General Secretary has been tasked to conduct the election for Abdullah’s successor. This election will be completed by December 5; until then, the party will be chaired by Farooq Abdullah. “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,” the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) said in a tweet.
In another development, National Conference on Friday issued notification for holding elections to the post of president after incumbent Farooq Abdullah announced his decision.
NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar issued the notification for election which will be held on December 5, the birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. According to the notification, the last date for filing of nominations for the post is December 1.