Omar denies NC sending letter of support to PDP, says only verbal offer conveyed

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday refuted a report about the National Conference (NC) sending a letter extending support to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for government formation in the state.

"Looks like PDP is playing mind games with the BJP leaking about a letter of NC support that doesn't exist. Only a verbal offer conveyed," he tweeted.

Omar's Secretary Tanvir Sadiq earlier in the day said the National Conference, which won 15 seats, would support the PDP.

"We are of this opinion that there should be a stable government in Jammu and Kashmir. It's not for us to decide who forms the government. It is that the mandate is in the favour of PDP and then BJP. It is for them to decide how and what the combination should be. As far as the National Conference is concerned, the working president has clearly stated that if Mufti Mohammad Sayeed calls, we will consider supporting him," said Sadiq.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that his party would back the PDP in national and regional interest.

"Congress party has said that in national interest, in the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir, in interest of creating employment and job opportunity, and peace and prosperity, we will be extending support to the largest party that is the PDP," he said in New Delhi.

The Jammu and Kashmir elections results threw a fractured mandate for the 87-member state assembly with the PDP securing 28 seats in the recently-held five-phased assembly elections, while the BJP bagged 25.