Farooq Abdullah rules out post-poll alliance with BJP

Speculation rife that NC engaged in back-channel talks with saffron party

PTI

Srinagar, Updated At : 03:35 PM Oct 05, 2024 IST

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. File photo

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday asserted that his party would not forge a post-poll alliance with the BJP for government formation in J&K.

"We cannot go with the BJP. The vote which we have got here is the vote against the BJP. The difficulties they put the Muslims in, bulldozed their shops, houses, mosques and schools, do you think we will go with them?" he asked.

He said the BJP did not give mandate to even a single Muslim in the parliamentary election nor was there a single Muslim minister in the Union Cabinet.

"I think our people will not vote for the BJP. If they (BJP) think they will form the government, they live in cuckoo's world," he stated.

The NC had on Friday said it was not in touch with any party other than INDIA bloc constituents for government formation in J&K.

The party's clarification came amid speculation that it was engaged in back-channel deliberations with the BJP.

Asked if Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, who is on bail, was a factor in the Assembly poll, Abdullah said he did not see any factor. "Whoever stands with them (BJP), he will be finished," the former Union minister said.

The NC as well as the PDP have labelled Rashid as a BJP proxy and agent.

Asked about his expectations from the exit polls, which would come later in the day, Abdullah said he had never believed in them. "The votes are in the boxes. We will know on October 8 what exactly is in and out. Who has got the majority and who has not, so, let us wait till October 8. I do not believe in exit polls," said Abdullah.

Responding to a question about the chief-ministerial candidate, the NC president said it would be decided after the results were announced.

"We are jumping the gun. Let us first see the results, then they will sit down and decide who is going to be the CM," he said.

"Even if you have full majority, you cannot say who is going to be what, what is going to happen. I am going to wait till all the boxes are open and votes are counted, we will know where all stand," he added.