Srinagar, Nov 03: National Conference President and former chief minister J&K, Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said “Omar Abdullah will not contest assembly elections till statehood is not restored to J&K.

He also said the party has formulated new constituency heads with an aim to reinvigorate the enthusiasm into party workers at grassroots level, he said this after speaking to reporters in central Kashmir’s Budgam where he visited the residence of Aga Syed Rohullah to pay homage to his late father Aga Syed Mehdi on his 22nd death anniversary.

“Omar will not contest assembly polls in J&K till statehood is restored. He has already clarified it till statehood to J&K is not restored he will stay away from elections”, Dr Farooq  said.

To a query, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the party has finalised constituency incharge heads across J&K with an aim to inflict passion and enthusiasm to party leaders and workers at grassroots level. “The step was taken with an aim to reinvigorate party activities both in rural and urban parts of Kashmir. This will give new hope to party workers at grassroots level. They will reach out to people who have grievances “, Dr Farooq said.

“It is indispensable to make our party cadre active who have to meet all sections of the society”, he added.

On being asked whether it signals a seperate path of NC for elections from PAGD, he said, “PAGD is always there. These constituency incharges won’t be tomorrow’s MLA. Some People are saying whatever they like. We can’t reply to everyone. Let them to say. No body will be MLA till things are jointly (PAGD) deliberated upon”, Dr Farooq continued.

To a query, he replied, Dr Farooq always stood for Pahari status. “I fought for them to make the community developed when Ladakhis were given ST status,”, he added.