National desk
7 October
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Before the counting of votes, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah expressed openness to taking support from the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that forming a government in the union territory would require collaboration with the PDP, stating, “We have no objection.” Abdullah also mentioned that the National Conference-Congress alliance would not hesitate to seek support from independent candidates to ensure a stable government.
In his remarks, Abdullah condemned the power granted to the Lieutenant Governor to nominate members to five reserved seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He warned that if the BJP-led central government implements this decision, the National Conference would approach the Supreme Court to challenge it. Additionally, Abdullah distanced himself from the race for the Chief Minister’s position, advocating instead for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that this step is crucial for enabling the new government to effectively address the problems faced by the people in the region. Abdullah’s statements reflect his commitment to forming a government that prioritizes the interests of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.