Farooq Abdullah withdraws his name from consideration as joint opposition's presidential candidate
Srinagar, Jun 18: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah Saturday withdrew his name for consideration as the joint opposition candidate for the presidential polls, saying he would like to contribute in navigating of Jammu and Kashmir which is "passing through a critical juncture".
He, however, thanked the opposition leaders for proposing his name as their candidate for the polls next month.
In a statement released by his party, the Lok Sabha member said he was honoured that his name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a possible joint opposition candidate for the office of President of India.
"Subsequent to Mamata didi proposing my name, I have received a number of calls from opposition leaders offering their support for my candidature," Abdullah said in a statement.
He said he had discussions with senior colleagues of his party and family about this "unexpected" development.
"I am deeply touched by the support that I've received and honoured to have been considered for the highest office in the country. I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times," he said.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said he believed he has a "lot more active politics ahead of me and look forward to making a positive contribution in the service of JK and the country".
"Therefore, I would like to respectfully withdraw my name from consideration and I look forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate," the NC statement said, conveying his gratitude to Banerjee and all the senior leaders who offered their support.
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Being a CM I don't own a house, opposition making false charges: CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru, Oct 22: Asserting that he only indulged in politics of honesty, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing probe into the MUDA 'scam' case, on Tuesday said despite being a CM he doesn't own a house, and accused the opposition parties of making false allegations against him.
He also claimed that the opposition, especially the BJP is unable to stomach that Siddaramaiah, a person belonging to the backward class has become the Chief Minister of the state for a second time.
Siddaramaiah is facing the Lokayukta and ED probes into alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Siddaramaiah's wife, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju -- from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others are named as other accused in the case by Lokayukta.
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"Being a Chief Minister, should I live in a rented house? In someone's house? Tell me. Why I'm telling you this is because you are my owners and masters. You blessed me..." he said.
Speaking at a public meeting in his Assembly constituency of Varuna here, the CM said false allegations are being levelled (against me), as they (opposition) are unable to digest -- Kumaraswamy (JDS leader), Yediyurappa, Vijayendra, Ashoka, Pralhad Joshi (all BJP leaders) are unable to bear (that I'm Chief Minister)."
Claiming that other than the house that is being constructed on Kuvempu road in Mysuru, he doesn't own any other property, the CM said, "it is still not yet completed, it has been three years since we started constructing it, work is slowly on since last three years."
"Being a Chief Minister... see how I'm being blamed, to bring down my charisma. But it is you (people) who give me that charisma, give blessings and give power, and only you can take it back," he added.
Averring that he was doing politics of honesty, Siddaramaiah said he is not only serving the Varuna segment, but the entire state and is working towards the upliftment of the poor without any discrimination of caste, creed or religion.
He said, "opposition is unable to digest that your Siddaramaiah has become the CM for a second time. I belong to a backward class community. BJP doesn't want a backward class person to become Chief Minister, they don't want him to -- walk the talk, work for the poor and implement social justice. Because the BJP is anti social justice and anti poor..."
