NC open to BJP pact, says Farooq Abdullah

With uncertainty looming large over the continuance of the PDP-BJP alliance, National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said his party is ready to consider a tie-up with the saffron party for government formation if such an offer is received.

“If such a proposal comes, then the NC will call a working committee (meeting) and debate over it. If such a situation arises, the NC can think over it as we have not closed the doors. Our doors are open,” he told reporters here when asked to spell out his party’s stand if it gets a proposal from the BJP for forming a coalition government in the state which is under Governor’s Rule.

In the 87-member Assembly, the BJP has 25 MLAs while the NC has 14 legislators. His comments came as uncertainty prevailed over the fate of PDP-BJP coalition which ran the government headed by Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for 10 months before his sudden demise on January 7.

With regard to the ongoing political uncertainty in the state, the NC patron and former chief minister blamed 27-member PDP for it. “Uncertainty has been created by the PDP as the BJP is ready to form the government and God knows what the PDP is thinking, I hope they end this and the government would continue,” he said.

Mr Abdullah, whose party had earlier been a part of the NDA, said the NC never shies away from playing its role.

“The NC never shies away from its role. In 1996 when nobody was ready for election, we came forward,” the former CM.