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National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah named his son and party president Omar Abdullah as J&K chief ministerial candidate. His remarks assume significance in the wake of his earlier statement that he would like to be the chief minister.

THE STATE of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is likely to find its new chief minister in a few days hailing from National Conference (NC), which emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded assembly elections. It is believed that with the help of Congress, the party is going to form the government, and party president Omar Abdullah is in the process of sorting out matter further with Congress.

In all likelihood it will be Omar who would head the government in the state and make a return of NC after a hiatus of six years. Allaying all confusion and speculations on the candidate foe chief minister, NC patron Farooq Abdullah revealed that it would be Omar and not himself who would be the chief minister of the state. This is altogether a new development in wake of his earlier remarks where he had opined that he would like to be the chief minister.

After emerging as the single largest party overtaking the separatist-backed People Democratic Party (PDP), there was an air of uncertainty in NC related to the person for the chief minister post. The patron of NC and former chief minister Farooq was deemed to be the dominant choice for the post, whereas his son and party president Omar has a strong backing in the younger lot.

However, now Farooq has allayed all the confusion and made clear the path for his 38-year-old son saying that he would recommend to his party that Omar should be the new chief ministerial candidate of J&K. He said that in his opinion a younger chief minister will be better in the interest of the state. On the other hand, Omar said that he will be guided by his father in whatever role he is offered. He further said that informal contacts have been established with the Congress and he would now go to Delhi to chalk out the coalition strategies.

Though NC emerged as the single largest party, it has to seek alliance with Congress to form the majority in the assembly. NC with 28 seats and Congress with 17 will have the majority in the 87-member House. The election in J&K has been viewed as a fitting reply to the separatists . This election witnessed voters defying boycott calls and conquering the fear of the gun in the Valley. The outcome should be hailed as a victory for India’s democratic process.

National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah today announced that Omar Abdullah will be next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Clearing all confusion, Farooq Abdullah today said that he would recommend to his party that his son Omar Abdullah should be the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The time has now come. I will recommend to the party that it should consider Omar Abdullah for the Chief Minister’s post. I thought over the issue during the night,” he said with Omar by his side.

Now the state should have a younger Chief Minister because there are a lot of things to do, the 72-year-old leader said.

His remarks assume significance in the wake of his statement last night that he would like to be the Chief Minister which created confusion.

38-year-old Omar, on his part, said he will be guided by his father.

Omar further said informal contacts have been established with the Congress and that he would now go to Delhi and talk to Congress leaders in seeking their help to form a government.

“A decision has been taken that my name will be put forward at the Legislature Party meeting of National Conference for the post of Chief Minister,” Omar told reporters after emerging from his father’s residence. He, however, said this decision was only of the NC which will have to be ratified by the new alliance partners as well.

“Formally, no talks have been held on formation of an alliance (with Congress). The results have just come out yesterday,” Omar said.

He said there should be no difficulty in talking to Congress and seeking their support.

Farooq, on his part, said he was looking at the situation and felt that the state needed a younger Chief Minister.

The veteran NC leader said he would concentrate on national politics and also help strengthen the party.

“We have lost some ground. The party needs a regrouping and realignment. I would devote more time to the party and to party work,” Farooq said.

Omar said the senior Abdullah will visit Delhi today to formally begin talks on formation of an alliance. NC bagged 28 seats in the 87-member J-K assembly with Congress notching up 17.
“If weather permits, Farooq sahib will fly to Delhi to start formal talks about formation of an alliance,” he said. Asked about the future course of action as far as formation of Government is concerned, Omar said “all the parties will now sit down and decide on their strategies.

“It can be done only after we have finalised our alliance partners.”

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah jumped into the chief ministerial race saying he will head a potential NC-Congress government in Jammu and Kashmir, hours after indicating that his son Omar Abdullah will get the top job.

Answering a flurry of questions on the chief ministership, Abdullah declared he would be the next chief minister. The 72-year-old veteran has been chief minister during three spells between 1982 and 2002.

The National Conference projected him as the chief ministerial candidate before the elections and the party stood by that and there is no change in that stand, Farooq said.

The National Conference failed to obtain an absolute majority in the assembly elections. The party has managed to bag only 28 seats, emerging as largest single party in the state.

Earlier in the day, Farooq had clearly indicated that he was not averse to Omar taking over as chief minister.

“Why not? Omar is a young man. If he could serve better, why not?” Abdullah said when asked if Omar could be the choice of the National Conference for the chief minister’s post. Farooq, who is a Rajya Sabha member, also said he would like to continue in the Upper House.

By the evening, the situation appeared to have undergone a change with Farooq deciding to assume power himself to which Omar’s comment was, “Well, I am 38 now, even if my father serves one full term, I will be 44.”