Farooq Abdullah Rejects Exit Polls, Links Price Rise to Middle East War, Says ‘Urdu Won’t Finish’

Srinagar, May 1, KNT: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed exit polls, questioned the Peoples Democratic Party over its Rajya Sabha voting stance, and commented on issues ranging from price rise to the status of Urdu.

Speaking to reporters at Hazratbal Srinagar, Abdullah said he has never trusted exit polls, asserting that such projections have repeatedly failed in the past. “Exit polls have proved wrong in the past and i hope they will prove wrong this time also,” he said.

On the registration of an FIR reportedly linked to a video involving Iltija Mufti, Abdullah said he was not aware of the details.

“I don’t know why the FIR has been lodged. Only Iltija Mufti can explain that,” he said.

Addressing inflation, Abdullah attributed the rise in prices to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“Price rise is because of the war in the Middle East. We can only pray that peace prevails. We cannot do much about it,” he said, adding that Haj pilgrims should pray for peace.

Referring to the recent Rajya Sabha elections, Abdullah said his earlier congratulatory message to the Peoples Democratic Party was made without full information.

“I did not know everything at that time. Now things have become clear. You should ask PDP whom they voted for,” he said.

He also welcomed the bail granted to Engineer Rashid and expressed hope for his father’s recovery. “It is good that he has got bail. I hope his ailing father recovers soon,” Abdullah said.

On the ongoing debate around Urdu, Abdullah said only opinions had been sought on the subject and no decision had been taken.

“Only opinions were sought about Urdu. You know the attitude of Delhi towards Urdu, but Urdu will not finish,” he said.  [KNT]