I did not hit anyone during the convention: Nasir Aslam Wani

SRINAGAR: National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani today claimed that he did not hit anyone during the party convention in Ganderbal district but admitted to having an heated exchange with supporters of a local leader.
"I will not deny that there was scuffle but I did not hit anyone. I have not hit anyone in 16 years of my political career," Wani told reporters on the sidelines of a function attended by the chief minister.

Wani, who is the provincial president of National Conference, had allegedly hit a supporter of Ishfaq Jabbar, a former Congress leader who joined the regional party last year, at the party one-day convention in Ganderbal yesterday.

Jabbar's supporters were demanding that National Conference announce their leader as the party candidate for the forthcoming assembly elections due to be held later this year.

"I did swing my leg but it did not hit anyone. If it had hit anyone, he would have been injured but there was none," Wani said.

Replying to a question, the National Conference leader said he was ready to apologise if anyone's feelings were hurt by the incident.

"So far, no one has come up with any grievance about it. If there is anyone, I am ready to apologise," he added.

Wani hinted that media was blowing the issue out of proportion saying the grand convention went ahead even after the minor incident.

"It is the inner party democracy that allows people to speak up on issues," he added.

The Ganderbal seat is currently represented by the chief minister.

While National Conference has announced nearly 50 candidates for the assembly elections, the party is yet to decide where from Omar will contest the forthcoming polls, fuelling speculation that he might not contest from Ganderbal.