Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that his party would decide whether he would take part in the upcoming parliamentary polls and where he would contest if he does, dropping hints that he was not averse to contesting the general elections.

Omar had earlier said that he would not contest Assembly polls — likely to be held by September — until the statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.

National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have not yet announced their candidates for three Valley seats, leaving the rival BJP guessing.

Both the parties are part of the INDIA bloc but NC has refused to enter into any seat-sharing pact with rival-turned-ally PDP. Both are supporting the Congress for two Jammu seats.

“Rumours (about his participation) fly like this during elections. Whether I will contest the election or not and where to contest is not my personal decision. It will be the National Conference which will take the call. I will leave it to the party to decide,” Omar told reporters when asked about his likely participation.

Many in Kashmir believe the NC and Omar Abdullah are synonymous and all key decisions in the party are taken by him. The speculations are rife that he is contesting the polls from Baramulla where his key rival would be Peoples Conference president Sajjad Lone.

Omar had in the past represented Srinagar in Parliament.

Asked about the delay in announcing candidates, Omar said the party could decide at the 11th hour.

“May be we will announce names after the notifications are issued or may be on the last day of the filing of nomination,” he said.