‘J&K needs me’: Farooq Abdullah pulls out of Presidential race

• After Sharad Pawar, now Farooq Abdullah has turned down opposition's proposal to be a candidate in the upcoming race for the post of next President of India. National Conference vice president Dr. Farooq Abdullah withdrew from the presidential race, saying J&K was passing through a critical juncture and required his efforts to navigate uncertain times. "I believe that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a critical juncture and my efforts are required to help navigate these uncertain times. Therefore I would like to respectfully withdraw my name from consideration and I look forward to supporting the joint opposition consensus candidate," Abdullah said, in a statement. He also said he was ‘honoured’ that his name was proposed, adding that he was ‘very grateful’ to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who convened the joint opposition's June 15 meeting in New Delhi to discuss the presidential polls. In the meeting, the parties resolved to field a consensus candidate for the July 18 elections. Watch this video for more details.