National Conference president and MP Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he would like to “respectfully withdraw his name for consideration by the opposition as President of India". He said that his efforts are required to help navigate the uncertain times that Jammu and Kashmir was going through.
In a statement, Abdullah said he was honoured to have had his name proposed as a possible joint opposition candidate for the office of President of India by Mamata Banerjee. “Subsequent to Mamata didi proposing my name, I have received a number of calls from opposition leaders offering their support for my candidature,’’ he said. “I have taken a few days to discuss this unexpected development with my family and senior colleagues.”
He said he was deeply touched by the support that he has received and is honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country.
“I believe that Jammu & Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times’’ he said. “I have a lot more active politics ahead of me and look forward to making a positive contribution in the service of J&K and the country.”
He said, therefore, he would like to respectfully withdraw his name from consideration and looks forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate. “I’m very grateful to Mamata didi for proposing my name. I’m also grateful to all the senior leaders who offered me their support,’’ he said.
Abdullah is the president of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also called Gupkar Alliance, comprising six regional parties seeking restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to reports, Abdullah was also contacted by BJP president J.P. Nadda about the election to elect the new President of India.
Abdullah’s statement to withdraw from the race for the presidential election has come in the wake of statement by defence minister Ranjath Singh that elections in Jammu and Kashmir are likely by year end. Singh made the statement during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir which started on June 16.
Jammu and Kashmir has been under Central rule since June 2018 after the PDP-BJP coalition collapsed. The Centre has linked the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir with delimitation and election which was completed in May.
