Avinash Azad
The National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah brushed off speculation regarding a possible alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing rumors sparked by NC president Farooq Abdullah’s comments, Omar took to the social media platform X to clarify the party’s stance.
“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,” he stated.
The speculation arose after Farooq Abdullah, NC president, mentioned on Monday that he would be open to collaborating with Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, if necessary, to form a stable government in the Union Territory.
“We can be rivals in elections, but I have no objections, and I am sure Congress will have no objections,” Farooq said, emphasizing that party differences should not hinder the formation of a government that represents the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah also responded sharply to a recent suggestion by Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who proposed that any decision on forming a government be postponed until statehood is fully restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar argued that such a delay would only serve the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) interests, potentially extending Central rule in the region.
“The man goes to Delhi for 24 hours and comes back to play straight into the hands of the BJP,” Omar remarked, adding that the BJP would likely prefer extended Central rule if it lacked the support to establish a government in the region.
