Srinagar, July 1: The Senior National Conference leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Hazratbal, Dr Mustafa Kamal, on Thursday reacted sharply to the recent statement of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, about handing over the post of the party president to an outsider rather than the member of the Abdullah family.      
“To elect the party president is the responsibility of the members of the general body. They after taking people into confidence take the decision about whom to elect the party president,” a local news agency KNS quoted Kamal, who also the younger brother of the party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and the uncle of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, as having said.
Dr Kamal said that general body of the National Conference comprises 31 members and as per the party constitution it has to take the final decision about electing the part president and the general secretary.
 He said that when Omar took over as the Chief Minister of the state he had to vacate the post of the party president and hand it over to his father Dr Farooq Abdullah. “It seems he is feeling the absence of Dr Farooq Abdullah (who is presently in New Delhi) to run the party affairs.”
Dr Kamal said that elections for the post of the president and the general secretary have not been held till date. “Both the posts are being held on interim basis presently,” he added.  
Dr Kamal said that if general body decides to elect him as the president he would readily accept the responsibility. Dr Kamal while praising the leadership qualities of Dr Farooq Abdullah, said, “History stands testimony to the fact that Dr Farooq has always faced big challenges like a rock. Whenever he was put to test he passed it withj flying colours.”
Asked whether some close aides of the Chief Minister were working against the interests of the party, Dr Kamal said, “There is no evidence about it but it cannot be ruled out,” he added.
(KNS)

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