Srinagar: Urging Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to help in ensuring free and
fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) president Omar
Abdullah said the test for fairness of polls would lie in keeping in check "forces
trying to interfere" with people's Democratic aspirations.
"Actions of gun wielding Ikhwanis, a counter-insurgent group enjoying the support
and patronage of some forces, coercing and threatening the people would raise
apprehensions about the fairness of polls," Omar said addressing a public meeting,
one of the largest in recent years, at Hajan,
35 km from Srinagar.
He regretted the crackdown in "NC-dominated villages" in the area in a bid keep them
away from the rally.
Omar said NC does not believe in rigging and would not tolerate any such act that
goes against the spirit of Democracy. He said elections would be closely monitored
and expressed the hope that adequate number of observers would be detailed for this
purpose.
Ridiculing allegations leveled against his party for taking up the slogan of
autonomy, Omar also referred to the autonomy talks initiated by Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) advocating abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and said
ultimately logic prevailed.
"We will take this issue to logical end," he declared.
Omar exuded confidence about restoration of autonomy to the state that will satiate
the urges and aspirations of the people of Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu.
PTI
