Srinagar: National Conference leader and outgoing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that his party's performance in the assembly polls has not been as bad as it was predicted.
Speaking to reporters in Beerwah, the NC leader said, “All the parties campaigned with a single aim to dislodge the Omar Abdullah government here, but we have still not fared badly as we have managed to win close to 17 seats despite all odds.”
Abdullah even lashed out at the rival PDP, saying that despite a strong sentiment against the National Conference government due to floods and other factors, the party led by Mehbooba Mufti could not even come close to a clear majority.
“You can see, it is clear that no one has got a clear mandate in J&K. If we have not fared well then others have failed too,” he said.
On his defeat in Sonawar, Omar said, “I knew it would be difficult for me to win from this seat.”
When asked whether his party will continue its alliance with the Congress in future, Omar said, “Congress has a habit of changing its friends and foes to suit its own interests. Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad will do anything to secure a berth in Rajya Sabha even if it means surrendering to the PDP.”
Congress is desperate to stay in power, he added.
“Currently, we are not looking at any alliance proposal. We will be happy to sit in the Opposition,” he added.
He, however, did introduce a new element in the scenario, separately telling PTI that it was for PDP to approach him. "I don't rule out or rule in anything thereafter," he said.
Reminded that NC's support to PDP has never been envisaged, Omar said, "Was Mr Nitish Kumar's coming together with Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar ever thought of?"
He virtually ruled out any support to the BJP, saying that there was only one percent likelihood of that. "I am leaving one percent crack open."
Omar, however, maintained that he would not be approaching anyone. "But that does not stop anyone from approaching me," he said.
Putting the onus on PDP, BJP and Congress to cobble up a government, Omar said it was not for him to unilaterally extend support to any formation.
Asked about BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks at a press conference that he was keeping all options open on government formation, Omar said he had not got any call from Shah.
Omar also admitted that before the campaigning his party was expected to be in single digits.
When asked if the “Narendra Modi factor” worked in polls, he said, “I expected the BJP to win some seats in the Chenab region.”
Remarks from the outgoing Chief Minister came shortly after he was defeated from the Sonawar Assembly constituency.
However, the young leader tasted success in Beerwah assembly seat where he defeated his nearest Congress party rival Nazir Ahmad Khan by a narrow margin. Omar is said to have defeated Khan by a narrow margin of over 1000 votes, as per PTI.
Confirming the development, the NC leader later tweeted: Thank you to all of you gloating over my premature defeat in Beerwah, it's made the victory even sweeter.
Thank you to all of you gloating over my premature defeat in Beerwah, it's made the victory even sweeter :-
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 23, 2014
Omar Abdullah earlier lost the Sonawar Assembly seat of Srinagar district to Ashraf Mir of the (PDP).
The 44-year-old Chief Minister tweeted ahead of declaration of results by the Election Commission, "Congratulations to Ashraf Mir (PDP) for his victory in Sonwar. I wish him & the people all good luck for the next 6 years. He's now my local MLA."
Congratulations to Ashraf Mir for his victory in Sonwar. I wish him & the people all good luck for the next 6 years. He's now my local MLA.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 23, 2014
Omar was earlier trailing in Beerwah seat by nearly 131 votes and was later defeated by Nazir Ahmad Khan of Congress.
The National Conference leader began his debut in the state politics with a defeat from Ganderbal Assembly seat in 2002.