National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday indicated that his party is open to forming a government in Jammu and Kashmir with the support of Mehbooba Mufti's PDP, if needed.
Speaking on potential alliances, he said that the NC-Congress alliance could consider getting backing from the PDP to address key issues such as unemployment and press freedom in the region.
Asked if the National Conference-Congress alliance will take support from the PDP if need be, Abdullah said "why not?"
"How does it matter? If we all work for the same thing, for improvement in the conditions of the people of the state, removing unemployment, removing all the distresses that have occurred in the last 10 years. First thing we should do is restore the freedom of the press. We should have the right to say what is true and what is not true. We can be rivals in elections, but I have no objections, and I am sure Congress will have no objections," he said.
Meanwhile, Farooq Abdullah’s son and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called the reports of Mufti's party supporting NC “premature speculations”.
Omar Abdullah said, “They haven’t extended support, they haven’t offered support, and we don’t know what the voters have decided yet, so I really wish we could put a lid on all this premature speculation for the next 24 hours”.
Reports of Mehbooba Mufti's PDP supporting National Conference-Congress alliance came up after exit polls predicted a tight race in Jammu and Kashmir, also hinting at the possibility of a hung Assembly.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti called speculations of her party joining the National Conference-Congress alliance "unnecessary".
"Unnecessary speculations. Let me put the record straight. PDP's senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand," Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted.
The results of the recent Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections will be out on Tuesday, October 8.
Farooq Abdullah has ruled himself out as a contender for the chief minister’s post, expressing a desire to build a strong government committed to the people's welfare.
He emphasised the need for full statehood restoration in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that only an elected government with full powers could resolve the people's problems.
He also hinted at accepting support from independents but clarified that he would not actively seek it. "If they want to strengthen the state, they are welcome, but I won’t go begging for it," he remarked.
Regarding the BJP's efforts to empower the LG with nomination powers, Abdullah warned that his party would resist any such actions in court.
Jammu and Kashmir voted on October 1 in the third and final phase of elections to form its first government since the Narendra Modi government revoked the region’s special status in 2019.
Source: ANI