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National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah accused the People's Democratic Party (PDP) of "imitating" their manifesto and asked the Mehbooba Mufti-led party to not field candidates against the NC.
Addressing the public in Ganderbal, Omar Abdullah said, "They (PDP) should've made a different manifesto, we spoke of 200 units of electricity, and they also did. We spoke of one lakh jobs, and they also did. We spoke about the reopening of blocked roads, which is also there in their manifesto. We spoke of open dialogue, which is also there in their manifesto. Everything in the National Conference's manifesto is present in their (PDP's) manifesto also." Omar Abdullah also urged the PDP to not field candidates against the NC-Congress alliance. Abdullah's remarks come after Mehbooba Mufti showed willingness to support the NC-Congress alliance provided they support PDP's agenda. Omar Abdullah said, "They (PDP) said that if NC and Congress agree with their manifesto, then they will not launch their candidates. Now that all of our agenda is in your manifesto, there is no difference between our agendas, then you should remove your candidates from the election. Earlier Mehbooba Mufti said that if the Congress-NC alliance are ready to accept PDP's agenda they are ready to support them. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir have given an answer to the BJP government from the Lok Sabha polls that there are issues in Jammu and Kasmir and by removing Article 370, it has become more complicated. Whenever we allied with any party we had a motive, an agenda, what we have to do. That's why I said that if they (Congress) are ready to accept our agenda, we are ready to support them," Mufti said. NC's manifesto envisaged the restoration of the political and legal status of the Union Territory and said that the party would strive to restore Article 370-35A and statehood before August 5, 2019. NC Manifesto has also promised free electricity for upto 200 units, a comprehensive job package for youth, and to encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan. PDP released its manifesto after NC and along the same lines. PDP also mentioned the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan and ensure the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, according to the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes will take place on October 4. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)
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