As the countdown to vote tallying in Jammu and Kashmir begins, National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah has expressed his openness to forming a government with the support of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, if required. Addressing the media on Monday, Abdullah stated that while he has no objections to joining hands with the rival PDP, he hopes the Congress Party, which is an ally of the NC, would also be open to the idea.
Notably, Abdullah ruled himself out of the running for the Chief Minister’s post, instead prioritizing the formation of a strong government to implement promises made to the people. He reiterated his call for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked following the abrogation of Article 370.
“I will not be the CM. Let this be clear—I’ve done my job as Chief Minister. My focus now is on building a stable government that can fulfill the agenda we have placed before the people,” Abdullah declared. “The statehood should be restored—full statehood—where the government has the power to act.”
Open to PDP Alliance for J&K’s Development
When asked if the NC-Congress alliance would accept PDP’s support if necessary, Abdullah responded positively. “Why not? If we all work for the same goals—improving the state’s condition, tackling unemployment, and alleviating the hardships of the past decade—there should be no issue,” he said. Abdullah emphasized that rivals in elections can still collaborate when it comes to the welfare of the people. “We can be rivals, but I have no objections, and I’m sure the Congress will not have any either,” he added.
Abdullah also underscored the importance of restoring press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the media must have the right to truthfully report on events without fear. “The 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,” he stressed.
Will Not Beg for Independent Support
While open to gaining support from independent candidates, Abdullah made it clear that he would not “beg” for their backing. “If they feel they can contribute to strengthening the state, they are most welcome, but it should be their initiative,” he said. Abdullah also warned against interference from the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in the government formation process, stating that if powers were given to the LG instead of elected representatives, the NC would challenge it in the Supreme Court. “What is the point of forming a government if the Lord Sahib (LG) remains in control? We have to fight against this,” he remarked.
Hope for a Stable Government
Commenting on exit polls that predict a hung assembly in the region, Abdullah maintained that such predictions are unreliable. However, he remained optimistic that the NC-Congress alliance would emerge victorious and establish a stable government. “Exit polls can be right or wrong. The real results will come when the boxes are opened and votes are counted. We are hopeful that the alliance will form a stable government,” he concluded.
As Jammu and Kashmir looks forward to the counting of votes tomorrow, October 8, all eyes are on the political maneuvering that will follow, especially with the possibility of a PDP-NC-Congress coalition on the horizon.
