NC offers support to PDP in Kashmir

Outgoing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Friday that his National Conference had offered support to the PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir but not given any written commitment.

"Looks like PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) is playing mind games with the BJP (by) leaking about a letter of (National Conference) support that doesn't exist," Abdullah tweeted. "Only a verbal offer conveyed."

The development comes amid a mini revolt within the National Conference over reports that it was planning a tie up with the Bharatiya Janata Party to form a coalition after elections threw up a hung 87-member assembly.

National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattoo told IANS that his party had extended support to the PDP through a statement made by Abdullah three days back.

"There need not be any written communication to confirm the offer," he said.

"The statement made by Omar sahib is formal enough, and it now for the PDP to accept it or not. It is for them to come out with what they want to do," he added.

The PDP bagged the largest number of 28 seats in a hung 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The BJP got 25 seats, the National Conference 15 and the Congress 12. Seven seats went to independents and smaller parties.