'We are committed partners of UPA': Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that his party, National Conference (NC) is a committed partner of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

"We are committed partners of the UPA, and we have had a very good relation with the UPA, and we see no reason why that should change," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who expressed his support for Omar Abdullah, said that the two leaders have been discussing the implementation of Panchayati Raj here.

"I am a friend, supporter of Omar. After all we run a government together," he said.

"We are trying to bring many women to the banking sector as possible so that we can help them get out of poverty. Second is we have got a job programme that we are running, that Jairam Ramesh's ministry is running. So far we have been very successful. We have got almost 15,000 youngsters jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. Third thing that Omar Abdullah and me have been discussing is the Panchayati Raj. These are the three things I am trying to push in the state," he added.

Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the state, addressed Panchayat conference here on Wednesday, and said that the Congress-led UPA Government has always focused on the rights of the people, and promised more rights to the panchs and sarpanchs.