Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Monday decided not to cobble up an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the government formation in the state as the recently held Assembly elections threw up a split mandate.
The issue was discussed “threadbare” at a meeting of the NC’s core group held at the residence of its working president and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here on Monday. A statement issued by the party at the end of the meet termed it as a “routine”, saying such meetings are convened at frequent intervals by the party to discuss the prevailing political situation in the State.
However, a senior NC leader and former minister, Muhammad Akbar Lone, who also attended it, said that it was unanimously decided that the party will not enter into a coalition with BJP to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir. But the NC, he added, has reiterated its support to the PDP on the government formation. “We’re not going to join hands with the BJP at any cost but if the PDP talks about regional aspirations, then as a regional party, as a primary party, we need to join hands with such people who work for the unity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we are ready to help them,” Mr. Lone said.
