After announcing resignation, Farooq Abdullah elected National Conference president again

Srinagar, Dec 5: Veteran Jammu and Kashmir politician Farooq Abdullah, who last month announced his plan to step away from the leadership role of the National Conference (NC) to make space for the younger generation, was re-elected as the president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) for another term on Monday.

 

 

The 85-year-old leader was unanimously elected as the party's chief at the NC's delegate session held near the mausoleum of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Naseem Bagh in Srinagar. The day also marked the 117th birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah.

 

NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said only Abdullah's nomination was received till the last date of filing the nominations. A total of 183 proposals from Kashmir, 396 from Jammu and 25 proposals from Ladakh were received in support of Farooq Abdullah, Sagar said.

 

 

The senior leader had recently expressed a desire to step down from the post owing to his health. "Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib has informed his colleagues of his decision to step down as president of JKNC. In spite of the best efforts of senior colleagues in the party Dr Sahib was adamant that he wouldn’t review his decision," read a party statement.

 

“In light of this sudden announcement which has caught everyone by surprise the party General Secretary, as per the party constitution, has been tasked with conducting the election for party president which will be completed on December 5. Until that time Dr Sahib continues as President of the party. (sic)," it further added.

 

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah clarified that former chief minister and party president Farooq Abdullah has not resigned, but has informed about "not contesting" the upcoming party presidential elections.

 

However, the party then set the presidential election process into motion and said the new president would be elected at the party's delegate session. It said the party's internal elections had already been concluded. The last NC presidential elections took place five years ago.