Not surprised by Congress-NC alliance split, says BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday that it was surprised by the decision of the Congress party and the National Conference to part ways, but added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will punish both the parties equally.

"We are not surprised by this. But the people of Jammu and Kashmir will punish both the parties equally," said BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh.

He termed the Congress-NC alliance as 'an alliance of the dynasties', and said that it was not an alliance of the workers.

Another BJP leader Bizay Sonkar Shastri said, "The relations which are based on selfish motives are meant to be broken. The Congress is witnessing its bad days and they are on a verge of extinction. Now their pillars of supports are withdrawing their support."

Earlier today, the Congress party decided to contest Jammu and Kashmir state polls alone, announced leader Ambika Soni, thus ending its six-year old alliance with National Conference (NC).

NC leader Omar Abdullah heads a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir with the Congress party. The polls are due later this year.

Soni said party would put up candidates in all 87 seats.

"We are going to put up candidates in all 87 seats. The party has decided to contest the upcoming elections of Jammu and Kashmir assembly on its own, on its policies and by strengthening its secular credentials," Soni said.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said party would seek people's mandate on development and secularism.

"The Congress agenda is development of all the three regions and to take all the religious communities with it," Azad added.