NC spreading baseless rumours: PDP

Srinagar, Mar 24:

on Monday accused ruling

in Jammu and Kashmir of spreading baseless rumours about the opposition party allying with BJP.

"In order to divert attention from its own unholy alliances and opportunistic coalitions, one of which in 1987 set the state on path of destruction, it (National Conference) is spreading baseless rumours about PDP which it sees as only potential threat to its rule," PDP President Mehbooba Mufti told party workers in Shopian district, 55 km from here.

Several National Conference leaders have claimed that PDP had a secret alliance with BJP after Congress turned down the regional party's overtures for a tie-up ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

The NC leaders claimed vindication of their stand when PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Friday praised the initiatives taken by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for resuming dialogue with Pakistan and the separatist leadership in the state.

Mehbooba, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from South Kashmir constituency, alleged that the NC used people's mandate to secure power in the state and at the Centre.

"It (NC) made huge compromises at the cost of the interests of state and its people. It is time that NC tells people what its common minimum programme with BJP was, or what it is now, when it is in alliance with Congress," she said.

Mehbooba said NC, which had two-third majority in the state assembly from 1996-2002, joined the NDA government after 1999 Lok Sabha elections only to get a junior minister's berth for Omar Abdullah.

"In the process, (they) sacrificed the autonomy resolution passed by the Assembly. It gave up seven most feasible power projects to NHPC, banned Shahtoos on the orders of (BJP leader) Maneka Gandhi, agreed to stop construction of North- South corridor at Lakhanpor, banned opening and upgradation of new schools, brought POTA to the state and extended AFSPA to Jammu province as well," she said.

PTI