J&K: PDP to approach Congress after NC rejects alliance on south Kashmir LS seat

Abdullah said they are ready to surrender the south Rajouri LS seat to Congress

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Hours after National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah said that there would be no alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti responded by placing the decision in the hands of the Congress, which is part of the INDIA bloc.

Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti expressed her disappointment with the National Conference's decision.

She expressed her hurt feelings, saying that the NC has done what the BJP couldn’t accomplish against the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a five-party alliance that seeks the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

PAGD, also called Gupkar Alliance, was formed under the presidency of Farooq Abdullah of the NC and Mufti as vice president for the restoration of the special status and statehood for J&K.

Mufti said she would talk to Congress on the matter and arrive at a decision soon. "I am a fighter. We will talk to Congress in this regard and will make our decision public soon," she said.

Earlier, Omar said that his party would not concede the Anantnag-Rajouri seat to the PDP as it stood third in the last Lok Sabha polls. Speaking at a news conference in Srinagar, he said they are ready to surrender the south Kashmir-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat to the Congress but not to the PDP. He expressed readiness to unveil the chosen candidates at their convenience.

"We have already finalised our candidates for all three seats of Kashmir and will extend support to Congress on both seats of Jammu as well as on the seat of Ladakh. I am ready with my candidates and will announce them at our convenience," he said.