Have No Objections: Farooq Abdullah on taking rival PDP’s support for Govt formation

Jammu:Ahead of counting of votes, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday stated that his party is open to the idea of collaborating with Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP to form a government in the Union Territory.

Abdullah criticized the move to empower the Lieutenant Governor to nominate members to the five reserved seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. He indicated that his party would approach the Supreme Court if the BJP-led Centre proceeded with this decision.

While ruling himself out of the race for the chief minister’s position, Abdullah emphasized that statehood should be restored to Jammu and Kashmir, enabling the new government to effectively address the people's issues. “The statehood should be restored—full statehood, where the government has the power to do things. I will not be the CM. Let this one thing be clear. I have done my chief minister’s job. My focus now is on how we can form a strong government and fulfill our agenda for the people,” he added.

When asked if the National Conference-Congress alliance would seek support from the PDP if necessary, Abdullah responded, “Why not? How does it matter? If we all work for the same goal—improving the conditions for the people of the state, removing unemployment, and alleviating the distress that has occurred over the last 10 years—then it’s worthwhile. First, we should restore the freedom of the press. We should have the right to express the truth.”

He acknowledged that while he is not opposed to garnering support from independents, he would not beg for it. “I will not go to beg before them. If they believe they can strengthen the state, they are most welcome. It should be their initiative; they should want to do good for the people,” he stated.

The former chief minister further criticized the powers given to the Lieutenant Governor for nominations. “The LG should first stay away from this process as a government is being formed. It is for the government to nominate people and send the nominations to the LG. That is the normal procedure. What they want to do, I do not know. However, if they proceed with this (granting powers to the LG), we will go to the Supreme Court. What is the point in forming a government if the Lord Sahib remains here? We have to fight against all this,” Abdullah concluded in his remarks to reporters.