Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah has announced to withdraw his nomination as the opposition’s presidential candidate. On Saturday (June 18), he announced that he was withdrawing as a potential United Opposition candidate for the 2022 presidential election.
Talking about this, Farooq Abdullah said, “I withdraw my nomination as a potential United Opposition candidate for the President of India. I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a turning point and I am needed here to help people out of these uncertain times.
The head of the National Conference said, “I have yet to do active politics. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the service of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation. I am grateful to Mamta didi for proposing my name. I am also grateful to all the senior leaders who extended their support to me.”
There were many calls of support: “After Mamta didi proposed my name, I received several calls from opposition leaders offering support for my candidature,” Farooq Abdullah said in his statement. He said that I discussed this unexpected development with my party and senior family members. I am deeply impressed by the support I have received and awarded for the highest office in the country.
Mamta Banerjee had held a meeting: In the meeting convened by Mamta Banerjee in the Constitution Club on 15 June 2022 regarding the presidential election, there was a deep brainstorming about the possible candidate. During this, Mamta Banerjee had also proposed the name of Farooq Abdullah and Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi. In the meeting, all the parties suggested Sharad Pawar’s name but the Pawar present there had himself refused the candidature.
16 teams were involved in the meeting. Leaders from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, RSP, Shiv Sena, NCP, RJD, SP, National Conference, PDP, JD(S), DMK, RLD, IUML and JMM were involved. At the same time, Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, AIMIM, TRS and BJD did not participate.