The Hindu : Farooq bids adieu to politics

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 30, 2002

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Farooq bids adieu to politics

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR AUG. 29. The list of the National Conference nominees for the second phase contains a "big surprise" with no mention of the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, who has finally decided to bid adieu to politics — his son and NC president, Omar Abdullah, will be the party's nominee from Ganderbal, traditional bastion of the Sheikh dynasty.

The list, which was expected to be released today soon after the notification for the second phase covering 28 segments in Srinagar and Budgam districts, was delayed as differences persist on the choice of candidates. However, sources told The Hindu that Dr. Abdullah had voluntarily vacated his "choicest segment'' — Ganderbal — to Omar and is not contesting from any seat, putting at rest all speculations about his being the NC nominee from Sonwar. He is reportedly planning a world tour from October 2 to 8 but would be here at the time of Government formation towards the end of the second week of October.

Dr. Abdullah's decision has smoothened the way for Omar to say "no" to the senior Minister, Mohiuddin Shah, who wanted to field his son, Irfan, from a Srinagar seat.

"When the Abdullahs cannot go together how can any one else set the precedence'', a party source said adding that Mr. Shah had agreed to contest from Batmaloo.

The party's parliamentary board is meeting again this evening to finalise the nominations.

The party is fielding Mohammad Yasin Shah, Dr. Abdullah's political secretary from Sonwar.

There seems to be no major change in the rest of the segments barring Beerwah and Budgam.

Meanwhile, on the last day of filing of nominations for the first phase, the number of candidates in the fray has gone up to 81 in the Valley and Ladakh.

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