Jammu and Kashmir LG inventing surveys to justify his 'unwillingness' to conduct assembly polls: Omar

Srinagar/Jammu: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday accused Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of "inventing" surveys to justify his "unwillingness" to conduct assembly elections in the union territory and remain its "uncrowned ruler".

He was reacting to Sinha's reported remarks that if a survey was conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, 80 per cent of people would vote in favour of the current system - Central rule.

On X, the NC leader also took a dig at the BJP, saying, "Perhaps this is the logic the BJP will start using to stop having elections nationwide - One Nation, No Election."

"Meet the new king of J&K who is so desperate to remain the uncrowned ruler that he now invents surveys to justify his unwillingness to conduct assembly elections. India is truly the 'mother of democracy' and we in J&K her orphan children," Abdullah posted on X.

Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone also criticised the lieutenant governor's remarks. "The best way of ascertaining what people want in modern day democracies is elections not opinion polls. We have a government at the Centre which was elected through elections not opinion polls. Same is the case in all the states," Lone said on X.

On X, Shia leader Imran Reza Ansari said, "I am really surprised with this secret survey 80 per cent endorsing the biggest backdoor appointment in J&K."

Batting for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Apni Party's Jammu provincial president Manjit Singh in Samba said, "People have lost hope on the present form of government, in which bureaucracy has the upper hand and it does not work as per the expectations of the people."

"In these circumstances, people have developed a feeling of alienation and detachment with the government. Therefore, the holding of assembly elections is a must in Jammu and Kashmir," he said at a function in which more than 35 people joined the Apni Party.