Jammu and Kashmir, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday, accepted responsibility for the poll defeat after the results showed the BJP-led NDA and opposition candidates in the State winning. “At this point it is for me to accept complete and total responsibility for the outcome of this election and to congratulate the victors the PDP and the BJP. I also congratulate the BJP and the NDA and hope they recognise the aspirations of the people of the State,” he added. Addressing a press conference here today, Omar Abdullah said: “It’s a serious setback but it is not the end of National Conference. I have accepted the responsibility for the performance of the alliance in the elections. I am taking responsibility,” Abdullah said . “While I knew that we had a difficult challenge on our hands, I did not expect one-sided results in the state . The voters have spoken and we accept that verdict with all humility. This verdict will have hard-hitting implications for us and for the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “Clearly it is going to be a tall order to bounce back from here. It is not impossible but it will be extremely difficult. A lot will depend on how we take on board the lessons of this election defeat,” Abdullah added. He also stated that wishing away Modi factor was a big jolt and also added that the National Conference will look into the details of the defeat and take this as a lesson. He added: “Those of us who wished away the Modi factor had a rude awakening. What impact he has on government, parliament and particularly on Jammu and Kashmir, we will have to see. There are lessons I will have to learn myself, before we put some corrective measures and go back to the people six months from now.” (ANI)
