SRINAGAR: Legendary politician of Jammu & Kashmir Farooq Abdullah, 85, who last month announced his intention to step away from the leadership role of the National Conference (NC) to give an opportunity to the younger generation, was re-elected as the party chief on Monday.

National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar made the announcement at the delegate session of the National Conference that  held near the mausoleum of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Naseem Bagh in Srinagar.

Notably, Farooq Abdullah has been the party president since 1981 barring for the period between 2002 to 2009 when his son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, 52, was party president.

Abdullah, who represents Srinagar in the Lok Sabha and heads the 5-party alliance of Kashmiri parties, People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, is yet to speak on the reasons for agreeing to carry on leading the party.

Farooq Abdullah’s re-election comes less than two week after his party announced his determination to step down from the party president’s post on December 18, mentioning he was adamant and has refused to review his surprise decision.

Abdullah said in Press briefing that reads: “I will not be contesting for the post of president any longer. The elections for the post will be held on December 5. It is time for the new generation to take over the responsibilities and anyone from the party can contest for the post for the top post.

On Monday, Sagar said only Abdullah’s nomination was received till the last date of filing the nominations and that the Veteran was elected unopposed.

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