Jammu, March 17 (IANS) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said on Sunday Omar Abdullah, his son, will be the party's chief ministerial candidate at the Assembly elections.
"Omar Abdullah will be the party's chief ministerial candidate. I am old now, Omar is young. I cannot match the energy of young people. I will represent the state in Parliament," Farooq Abdullah said.
The NC President was addressing his first Lok Sabha campaign rally at the Bahu Fort, here. He has already announced that he would seek re-election from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.
Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Abdullah said it was dividing the country by spreading hatred.
"We have to strengthen the country by fighting polarisation, injustice and hatred. You must select candidates who can run the country on principles of equality," he said.
Referring to lotus in the state emblem, he said the state of J&K never discriminated people on the basis of regions and religions.
The NC President alleged a political party had purchased news channels and newspapers to spread propaganda. Abdullah, however, did not name the BJP while levelling these allegations.
He alleged no leader of the ruling NDA alliance at the Centre paid floral tributes to CRPF troopers, martyred in Chhattisgarh.
He said Muslims have never opposed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
"Was Lord Ram only for Hindus? When Muslims have not opposed construction of a temple at Ayodhya why isn't the BJP building it," he said alleging Ram Temple was intended as a political tool and that is why the BJP is keeping the issue alive.
The biggest injustice with the state, he said was the Indus Water Treaty, "Because of which the state could not use its own water resources."
The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, was signed by India and Pakistan in 1960.
According to the terms of the treaty, rivers Sutlej, Ravi and Beas have been ceded to India accepting India's full rights on thier water.
Chenab, Jhelum and Indus were ceded to Pakistan thereby it prevented construction of a dams on them to store water for power generation.
India can only construct run-of-the-river hydro projects on these three rivers, huge power potential is being wasted which could be harnessed for prosperity of the state.
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