J&K polls are not a plebiscite: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said it's a mistake to consider improved participation in the assembly elections as a plebiscite for India, and people doing that will fall into a trap of separatists. On the eve of counting of votes in the state elections, the chief minister ruled out the possibility of any alliance for government formation with BJP or PDP, which both are predicted to win more seats than his National Conference.

"If you are converting assembly polls into a strategic victory and converting it into a plebiscite, you are running a dangerous risk of landing in to separatist trap," Omar said. "That is exactly what separatists are keen to use and make people boycott the polls."

NSA Ajit Doval had hinted that the record estimated 65% voter turnout is a strategic victory over Pakistan. He said it was just an election for choosing the local government and not a plebiscite. While he refused to buy the exit poll predictions of rout for NC, Abdullah admitted that his party might not form the next government. He also ruled out allying with either BJP or PDP.