Farooq, Sachin Pilot back Omar for CM's post

SRINAGAR: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah may be a potential chief ministerial candidate in Jammu and Kashmir but he has already won an endorsement from his political family that also had Congress links.

Virtually endorsing Omar Abdullah for the Chief Ministership, NC patron Farooq Abdullah said his son could better serve the people of the border state and he himself would prefer to remain in Parliament.

"Why not? Omar is a young man. If he could serve better, why not?" Abdullah said in Srinagar when asked if Omar could be the choice of the the National Conference for the chief minister's post. Omar is making a debut in the state Assembly.

Young Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is married to Omar's sister Sarah, also rooted for his brother-in-law for the top post saying he is capable of handling the responsibility.

"He is a hard-working man. He is also a bright Member of Parliament and I think whatever responsibility is entrusted to him, he can handle it perfectly," Pilot said in New Delhi.

"Omar is a matured person," he said. Pilot, Congress MP from Dausa in Rajasthan, said it augurs well for the country whenever young people are entrusted with such responsibilities.

Pilot said his wife has left for Srinagar to be with the Abdullah family.

"As of now there are no plans for celebrations or a get together. Let the government take shape," he said.

While congratulating the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their resilience and their trust in democracy, the young leader said the Congress would try to install a stable government in the state.

Farooq Abdullah, a former chief minister, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said he would like to continue in the Upper House of Parliament. "I would rather be in Parliament," he said.