PDP slams Omar Abdullah for 'forcing' Governor's rule on J&K

Srinagar, Jan 9: Peoples Democratic Party, which has not been able to cobble an alliance for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, has blamed former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for forcing Governor's Rule on the state.

"We had time till January 19 to form a government but the situation has been forced (on the state) by Omar," PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar said. He said the PDP was in talks with various political parties for formation of a stable government in the state.

"We could have forged an alliance...We are in touch with different parties as informal channels are open with all parties," he said.

Akhtar said the party will continue its efforts for formation of a stable government in the state. "We are hopeful that we will be able to form a stable government soon," he added.

Asked if fresh election in the state was a possibility, Akhtar said "we will discuss the situation if it comes to that". Omar, soon upon his return from England, met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra asking to be relieved from being the caretaker chief minister of the state.

The National Conference (NC) working president said the state needed a full-time administrator to deal with the situation arising out of border hostilities between India and Pakistan in Jammu region and rehabilitation of flood victims in the Valley.

PDP emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats in the recently concluded state elections which threw up a hung Assembly.

BJP won 25 seats in the 87-member house while NC and Congress bagged 15 and 12 seats respectively. However, there has been a deadlock over government formation since the results were declared on December 23 as no combination of parties have been able to come together.

While BJP and PDP have claimed that back channel talks were on, there is no clarity on the progress made in these talks as both parties have maintained a wait-and-watch approach.

PTI