*NC to Contest Budgam Bypoll, Have Offers Congress Support in Nagrota: CM Omar Abdullah*

Anantnag, (cni): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the National Conference (NC) will contest the Budgam bypoll, while in Nagrota the party is ready to support a Congress candidate if their high command permits.

Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, CM Omar, as per news agency cni, said, “There are still two or three days left. For the Budgam seat, National Conference will contest. For the Nagrota seat, we have told Congress that if they want to field their own candidate in this election, we are ready to support that candidate.”

Omar added that, “Congress has sought permission from their high command. If they get approval, then their candidate will file nomination papers in Nagrota, and NC will openly work for their victory.”

On being asked about the growing distance between Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said, “Once statehood is restored, these distances will surely end. As long as we are deprived of statehood, our business rules do not apply, we have no Advocate General, and many institutions which should be under the control of an elected government are still not with us. In such a situation, naturally, some distances will remain. We had hoped that in the first year these issues would have been resolved, but if not, then at least in the second year, it would be a welcome step.” cni