J-K BJP leaders want to join Congress, claims Ghulam Nabi Azad

Amid speculations of a senior Congress leader from Jammu and Kashmir joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the state legislative polls, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday claimed that BJP leaders wish to defect to the Congress, adding that many feel overlooked after having been denied tickets.

"I don't think any senior Congress leader is going to join the BJP. In fact, a lot of BJP leaders want to join the Congress, especially those who have been denied tickets," Azad told the media.

When asked the possibility of a post-polls alliance with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Azad said, "I don't know who we will go with but at the moment we are trying our best to form a government on our own. If there is a need [for a coalition], then we will see after the elections."

According to speculative reports, Congress leader Karan Singh and his son Ajatshatru are likely to join the BJP.

The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases - on November 25, December 2, December 9, December 14 and December 20. The counting of votes will be held on December 23.