Bitter Foes To Bedfellows? PDP-NC-Congress Agree To Form A Coalition Government In J&K

Efforts are afoot to cobble together a new coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as the National Conference and Congress have agreed in principle to partner with PDP, a senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari confirmed today (21 November), The Tribune has reported.

Bukhari, a businessman-turned-politician, who is widely tipped to head the coalition government in case it crystallises, said that around 60 MLAs were supporting the proposed alliance in the 87-member House.

“The leaders have agreed to form an alliance. The PDP, NC, Congress at the leadership level have agreed. What are the contours of the alliance, it has not come down to MLAs. I am an MLA and I have been told only this much,” Bukhari told media persons in Srinagar.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader met National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah earlier in the day, but denied that he discussed the alliance issue with the former chief minister.

He claimed that alliance is being forged to address the Kashmir issue, the situation in Kashmir and to protect the special identity of the state.

"As elected representatives, we have to respond to the aspirations of the people and the emerging situation. Article 370 and Article 35-A are under attack. This alliance is not being formed for being in power," he added.

To a query on when would the alliance be announced formally, he said, "It should be made very soon. Nothing has been planned for today in view of Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations".