NC sends letter of support for PDP to Kashmir governor

The National Conference Tuesday formally handed over a letter to Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra stating its support to the PDP for forming the government in the state.

A statement issued by the National Conference said party leader Devender Rana called on the governor at Raj Bhavan here to hand over the communication that reiterated the party's support to the Peoples Democratic Party for forming the government.

Reacting to the development, PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the party would deliberate on the offer in an appropriate forum.

PDP leader and Lok Sabha member Mehbooba Mufti, however, said during a programme on Radio Kashmir in Srinagar that the vote of the people was against the National Conference-Congress rule in the state.

The vote was clearly for the PDP in the Kashmir Valley and for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu region, she said.

The PDP now has 28 legislators, the BJP 25, the National Conference 15 and the Congress 12 in the 12th state assembly, elections for which were held in November-December last year. Six independents were also elected.

For staking claim to power, a party or an alliance of political parties must have 44 seats in the 87-member assembly.