Omar takes on Mehbooba, says 'not in favour of horse-trading'

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday questioned the hesitancy on the part of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti over joining hands with the BJP to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the Governor should announce fresh polls if there is further delay in this regard.

The National Conference leader, who called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra, later told the media that the latest political development in the state is hampering development and people are bearing the brunt of the same.

"From the last two months, this state is waiting for government formation. Mehbooba Mufti had a secret meeting with Amit Shah but nothing has happened, she came back and Muzaffar Baig said there is some misunderstanding and PDP has said that they are not asking for anything new," Abdullah said.

"So, why are we waiting for government formation? She is so indecisive right now," he added.

Abdullah said that his party does not believe in horse trading.

"If the BJP-PDP do not come together and PDP don't take support of Congress then the Governor has to dissolve the assembly," he added.

BJP leader Ram Madhav had on Friday said the situation still remains the same, adding the PDP has to stop coming up with new issues every now and then.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti yesterday met BJP president Amit Shah in the national capital but the agenda of the meeting was not made clear.

Both sides maintained silence on the meeting. Sources, however, said that it was part of the intense efforts being undertaken by the two parties before resuming the coalition.

Reportedly, the PDP has toughened its stance after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's demise by seeking concrete plans for the state's development before the coalition could be resumed. However, this has irked the BJP, which wants the alliance to continue without any new condition.