Srinagar (PTI): The National Conference (NC) on Sundaysaid that their stand with regard to Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is similar to that of the Hurriyat Conference that these will not affect the Kashmir issue.

Launching the party's campaign for the elections at Raj Bagh in Srinagar, party president Omar Abdullah said, "Our stand is similar to the Hurriyat as far as elections are concerned that polls will not affect the Kashmir issue".

"Salahuddin (PoK-based chairman of united jehad council and supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen) and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq (chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat) have said that elections would not change the status of Kashmir issue," he said.

"Our party deems restoration of internal autonomy to the State in its original shape as a solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, adding NC will welcome if any better solution is put forth by people of the State and from across the Line of Control.

Omar said his party's participation in the polls was to remove difficulties being faced by the people due to day-today issues. "We will ensure electricity in every home if returned to power," he added.

However, he said as far as his party is concerned he has impressed upon Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during meetings with them that it was imperative to resolve Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, party leaders in Jammu's Nagrota Assembly constituency said that their main focus would be empowerment of rural women, who remained neglected during the last six years.

Ajatshatru Singh, who is contesting the elections from the constituency, said, "our party will empower rural women force in the state, NC committed to work towards the upliftment of the women folk".

He was accompanied by party MLC Devender Singh Rana, who is son of the Congress MP Karan Singh.

Peace, progress, upliftment of the down trodden and unemployment will be on the priority list of the party, Singh said.

He said that if voted to power, his party will give stipend to the unemployed youth till the time they do not get any employment.