Srinagar: Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu and Kashmir General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul on Friday said that the party is fully prepared to contest the two vacant assembly seats in the Union Territory, including one left vacant by the death of a BJP worker and the other following the resignation of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.
Speaking to the media, Koul suggested that the delay in announcing the bypoll dates was likely linked to the recent incident in Pahalgam, which coincided with the earlier schedule for the elections. “We feel the elections were held back due to that event, but both seats are likely to go for polls in the next phase,” he said.
Addressing recent political developments, Koul took aim at the National Conference, advising the party to first consolidate its own alliances. “First, the National Conference should get its own allies on board. When their partners support them, then others will think about it. Why are they looking for the BJP if their own coalition is not united?” he remarked. [KNT]