Will PDP join a Congress-NC government in Jammu and Kashmir?

Counting of votes is underway in Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly election was held after 10 years. The results, or the poll verdict, will pave way for J&K’s first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

As ballot boxes are being opened, Congress and its alliance partner National Conference (NC) are seen leading.

NC chief Farooq Abdullah had on Tuesday (October 8) declared that his son and party’s vice president Omar Abdullah will be the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar has emerged victorious in the Budgam constituency.

Ahead of the counting of votes, Farooq Abdullah indicated that his party, NC, is open to forming a government in J&K with support of Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

‘Rivals in elections, but have no objections’

On Sunday, Farooq Abdullah said that NC-Congress alliance could consider getting support from the PDP to address key issues including unemployment and press freedom in the region.

“Why not?” said Farooq Abdullah when he was asked if NC-Congress alliance will take backing from the PDP if need arises.

“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,” Farooq Abdullah said.

However, junior Adullah Farooq called the reports of PDP supporting NC “premature speculations”.

“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…,” Omar said.

Reports of Mufti’s party supporting NC-Congress alliance came up after exit polls predicted a tight race in Jammu and Kashmir, which also hinted at the possibility of a hung Assembly.

Meanwhile, PDP leader and daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija Mufti said: “Senior leadership of party will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand.”

Farooq Abdullah has expressed a desire to build a strong government committed to the welfare of people. He also emphasised the need for full statehood restoration in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that only an elected government with full powers could help smoothly solve the problems of people.