Farooq Abdullah Opts Out of Lok Sabha Polls Due to Health Concerns

New Delhi: Farooq Abdullah, the President of the National Conference and incumbent MP from Srinagar, has decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due to health concerns, according to an announcement made by his son, Omar Abdullah, who is the Vice President of the party.

Omar Abdullah conveyed that his father, Farooq Abdullah, sought permission from party officials, including Ali Mohammad Sagar, to abstain from contesting this time. He emphasized the party’s commitment to nominate the most suitable candidate for the Srinagar constituency, hoping for voter support to ensure effective representation in Delhi.

Farooq Abdullah, aged 86, had previously served as a Rajya Sabha member before winning the Lok Sabha seat from Srinagar in 2009. Despite a defeat in the 2014 elections to Tariq Hameed Karra of the Peoples Democratic Party, he secured victory in the subsequent by-election in 2017. In 2019, he won the polls again.

Omar Abdullah highlighted the distinctiveness of the upcoming parliamentary election, expressing optimism about increased participation due to a more favourable political environment, devoid of historical disruptions like boycotts and violence. He urged the people of Srinagar to engage actively in the electoral process to shape their representation and voice their concerns effectively.