NC asks Omar to take over by May

However, there were some apprehensions over Omar’s name as a few members thought that with the way things were at present, Farooq should continue as party chief. These members had expressed apprehensions that though Omar has performed well as a Union Minister, he does not have the requisite experience in the state. This idea, however, was turned down by others.

At present it isn’t not clear whether the party would accept him as Chief Minister in the coming Assembly Election or not, but sources say after becoming the party president, he is likely to be the obvious choice for the post, while Farooq is likely to contest for the seat of President of India.

Later at the press conference, senior party leader Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Shah said in the meeting that the members had appreciated Omar’s functioning as a Union Minister and said that he is ready to take charge of the state.

Sources say that the final decision regarding presenting Omar as Chief Minister in the forthcoming Assembly Elections will be taken in the party delegates’ session to be held in the second fortnight of May.

Sources said that the issue of elections was also discussed in the meeting. It was observed that the party, in the recently held Jammu parliamentary by-election, had performed well, but it has to work hard to maintain its position in the coming Assembly elections. Sources said that a few members had apprehensions about Kashmir and it was suggested that the party pay more attention there.