Ailing’ Mian Altaf dispels rumours, says he will be contesting LS election

Srinagar, April 13: Veteran Gujjar leader and National Conference candidate for Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat Mian Altaf on Saturday dispelled the rumours asserting that he will be contesting the forthcoming election.

There was a report in a local newspaper saying that Altaf is likely to miss campaigning due to his poor health as doctors have advised him rest for several weeks.

In a video statement released by the party, Mian Altaf made it clear that he would be contesting the election from Anantnag-Rajouri seat.

“I was unwell from the last few days, before the Eid as I had fever. I told some people who had come to visit that his condition should improve or else he wouldn’t be able to campaign or contest election.

He said later when the doctors diagnosed it as a viral fever, he took the medicine and now he was feeling well. He described it a rumour that he will not contest polls. I will fight,” he said.

Altaf said NC Vice President Omar Abdullah also visited his home to inquire about his health.

Earlier in the day as the rumours spread, Omar said that Mian Altaf is still the party’s first choice for the Anantnag- Rajouri seat.

He said that Mian Altaf was still the party’s candidate.

“We have not heard about it. If he had taken such a decision, then he would have informed us. Now that you have raised it, we will try to find out about it,” Omar told reporters in Srinagar.

“Altaf is the party’s first choice for the seat and unless we won’t hear from his mouth that he can’t contest polls, he will be our party’s candidate,” the former CM said.

The NC vice president said media reports are not always true and sometimes they are wrong.

“As I said, unless I won’t hear from Mian sahib that he won’t be able to contest citing health issues, I won’t be able to comment on it. … If he does not contest then the party will hold consultations over it,” Omar said.

UNI

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