Will form next Kashmir government on our own, says PDP

Jammu, Dec 21: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sunday said it was confident of forming the next government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own and would not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Reacting to some media reports that said the PDP had said it was open to forming an alliance with the BJP if it does not get the needed simple majority of 44 in the 87-member state assembly, the PDP's chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar told reporters, "No, we did not say we will form an alliance with the BJP."

"We said we will form the next government in the state on our own as we are confident of getting the required numbers. So there is no need for us to say we will form an alliance with the BJP or any other party."

However, he said "since Jammu and Kashmir is passing through such difficult times, we will need the support of every party, including the BJP."

Media reports said the 12th state assembly for which polling ended Dec 20 would not have any single political party that can form a government on its own, and that the voters delivered a fractured mandate.

Counting of votes will take place Dec 23.

IANS