National Conference vows to take on PDP

Srinagar, June 19 (IANS) The ruling National Conference is bracing to take on a resurgent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in assembly elections due this year in Jammu and Kashmir.

The high-powered Working Committee of the National Conference held a marathon nine-hour meeting Wednesday to work out a 'new strategy' to fight its arch rival.

Party working president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the National Conference would give "PDP a fight to remember in assembly elections".

But it is now known that while trying to raise the morale of his party after the washout in the Lok Sabha battle, Omar Abdullah has decided not to contest the assembly elections.

He now represents Ganderbal in the 87-member state assembly.

Ganderbal sounded alarm bells for the Abdullahs when PDP's Tariq Hamid Karra defeated the chief minister's father, Farooq Abdullah, from the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

Omar Abdullah will contest from Sonawar or Hazratbal in Srinagar, said a senior National Conference functionary.

But even in both Hazratbal and Sonawar assembly constituencies, the PDP polled more votes in the Lok Sabha battle.

The names of National Conference candidates for the assembly elections are expected to be announced soon.

It is believed to be firming up on fielding some new faces with a clean image while repeating most of its known leaders.

The PDP has announced its first list of 28 candidates.

Omar Abdullah wants infusing of fresh blood into the party, saying the National Conference did badly in the Lok Sabha election in constituencies represented by some of his senior ministers.

The chief minister has been working overtime to woo voters.

He recently ordered the suspension of two policemen for "misbehaving with people" when his cavalcade was on way to the Srinagar airport.