National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Monday kicked off the party’s election campaign with a blistering attack on lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha’s administration, accusing it of sabotaging the conduct of Assembly polls to rule Jammu and Kashmir like uncrowned kings.

Omar started the campaign from Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir, sending a subtle message to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that it was unwilling to concede the South Kashmir seat to it.

“We wanted simultaneous (general and Assembly) elections. It did not happen. The current government of Jammu and Kashmir sabotaged it because they do not want to return power to the people. They are sitting like uncrowned kings,” Omar told reporters after addressing a party convention.

The former chief minister said the Supreme Court had set a September 30 deadline for the Assembly polls, suggesting that the Sinha administration would not continue to rule the roost.

Addressing party workers earlier, Omar blamed the officers for putting hurdles in the path of elections. “The chief election commissioner clearly said all political parties wanted simultaneous polls but it is our officers who are putting up hurdles in it by saying they cannot make security arrangements,” Omar said.