'Congress in touch with PDP to keep BJP at bay in J&K'

Jammu, Dec 26: Amid reports that the BJP leadership has been holding talks with PDP to explore the possibilities of government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress on Friday said it "is in touch" with PDP to keep the saffron outfit at bay.

"The Congress party is in touch with PDP and six other Independent legislators to prevent the saffron party from forming government in Jammu and Kashmir through ill means," state Congress spokesman Salman Nizami said.

Nizami said the Congress, with 12 MLAs in its kitty, was ready to forge an alliance with other secular parties "to keep at bay the communal forces that are hell bent to divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines."

"We are ready to join hands with PDP. Our aim is to keep the communal BJP at bay and work in coordination with PDP for the betterment of the state," Nizami said, adding that BJP was leaving no stone unturned to grab power in Jammu and Kashmir.

"If media reports are true, a desperate BJP seems to be on one side holding secret talks with National Conference, and on the other is trying to lure PDP towards it. No body can't stop any leader from holding talks, but PDP has to take a final call because they have sought votes from the people on the promise of keeping BJP at bay," Nizami said.

PTI