The National Conference Saturday made a comeback in Central Kashmir Parliamentary seat, with its candidate and party patron, Dr Farooq Abdullah emerging victorious by a margin of over 10,000 votes. He defeated his nearest PDP rival Nazir Ahmed Khan. Srinagar Parliament seat comprises of 15 assembly segments spread over three districts of Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal.The National Conference had lost the seat to PDP’s erstwhile leader Tariq Hamid Karra in the 2014 LokSabha polls with a big margin of 42,280 votes.Shortly after winning the Srinagar Parliament seat, National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah said that, “this vote is for the rejection of the People’s Democratic Party.” He said that people have taught PDP a lesson that is hand in glove with RSS and BJP. “There is no justification for Mehbooba Mufti to cling to the power now. People have given answer to her and she should immediately step down,” Abdullah said.
Farooq Abdullah said that it is right time to engage all the stakeholders and hold dialogue with them. “Kashmir is an issue that needs to be resolved. Government of India should talk to all the stake-holders to find solution to this problem,” he said.Responding to a question, Farooq Abdullah said that to resign from Srinagar seat is not up to him. “All the decisions are taken in the Working Committee. Future strategy will be chalked in the Working Committee meeting that will be held soon,” he said.Abdullah appealed to the President Pranab Mukherjee to impose Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir.“I want to thank people who voted for me. They have clearly rejected People’s Democratic Party,” Farooq told reporters at NC headquarter Nawa-e-Subh here.He also appealed president of India to dismiss the state government as it has “failed to deliver”. “I will secure the Article 370 and my win is dedicated to people of Kashmir. I will also talk to all stakeholders to find a solution for the Kashmir issue,” he added. (CNS)