Lagatar24 Desk
SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah has expressed willingness for a post-poll alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to block the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from forming the government after the upcoming assembly election results. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Abdullah said that a strategic partnership with the PDP to improve the state’s governance could be on the cards.
“Why not…” Abdullah responded when asked about the possibility of a post-poll tie-up with his longtime political rival, the PDP, saying, “How does it matter? If we all work for the same thing… for improvement in the condition of the people of the state.”
Despite ruling out his own candidacy for the Chief Minister’s position, Abdullah emphasized the importance of building a strong and stable government. “I will not be the Chief Minister… let this be clear. I have done my job,” said the veteran leader, who has led the state multiple times.
While indicating openness to engaging with elected independent lawmakers for additional support, Abdullah was firm that he would not beg for their backing. “If they feel they can strengthen the state, then welcome,” he remarked.
The NC, aligned with Congress under the INDIA bloc umbrella, is hoping to prevent the BJP from gaining a foothold in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the PDP was invited to join the alliance, the party chose to contest independently due to disagreements over seat-sharing.
PDP’s Role as Potential Kingmaker
With exit polls predicting a hung Assembly, the PDP, led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, could play a crucial role in determining who governs the Union Territory. Projections suggest the NC-Congress alliance will emerge as the largest bloc but may fall short of the majority mark of 46 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The PDP, which could win between 4 and 12 seats, might end up being the kingmaker.
PDP candidate Zuhaib Yusuf Mir, contesting from Srinagar’s Lal Chowk constituency, echoed Abdullah’s sentiment, signaling the party’s openness to a secular alliance to keep the BJP at bay. “PDP will have an important role in forming any secular government… we are ready to take any step to save the identity of Kashmir,” Mir stated.
However, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, took a more cautious approach, dismissing alliance talks as premature. “Any talk of an alliance before results are declared is unnecessary,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that senior PDP leaders would decide on any collaboration only after the final results.
As J&K prepares for its first Assembly elections in a decade, all eyes are on whether post-poll negotiations between the NC, PDP, and Congress could pave the way for a non-BJP government in the region.
