NC ready to extend support to Cong-led Govt in J

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) National Conference chief patron and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said his party was ready to extend support to the crisis-riddled Congress- led Jammu and Kashmir Government, if it sought an alliance.

''The National Conference will support the Congress provided it asks for it. Let the Congress ask for our support,'' Mr Abdullah said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the Congress had so far not sought the support for the National Conference.

He said it was better to have an elected government in place rather than thrusting midterm elections on people.

Insurgency-torn Jammu and Kashmir plunged into political crisis after Peoples Democratic party (PDP) last night recalled deputy chief Muzaffar Hussain Baigh from the state cabinet and also removed him as the legislature party leader.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is in Kargil, is yet to take a decision on the fate of his deputy.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister refused to divest Mr Baigh of the important portfolios of Finance, Planning, Law and Parliamentary Affairs as asked by the PDP high command.

The PDP top brass, including patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti, was ''unhappy, upset and angry'' over Mr Azad's stand.

The PDP had even sent a letter to Mr Azad in this regard.

The PDP leadership had decided to ''cut down to size'' Mr Baigh in the wake of his recent utterances, for lavishing praises on Mr Azad and describing him as the ''towering leader'' of Jammu and Kashmir, and also for ''ignoring'' the party agenda.

The party had decided to give all portfolios held by Mr Baigh to senior leader Tariq Hamid Karra. It was decided that Mr Baigh would be given Tourism and Housing portfolios only, they added.

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