Pre-poll alliance might benefit neither Congress nor us: NC leader

Known for his statements that have rocked the National Conference-Congress alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, senior NC leader Mustafa Kamal said Saturday the pre-poll alliance between the two parties might benefit none of them.

"I was never in favour of the pre-poll alliance with the Congress party," Kamal told a local news agency here.

"Our alliance with the Congress would neither benefit us nor the Congress and it may prove to have been an unprofitable deal for both the parties."

He said the Congress would have easily forged an alliance with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but for the PDP's withdrawal of support to the Congress-led government of Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2008.

Kamal, who is the younger brother of the NC patron Farooq Abdullah and the uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, disclosed he had expressed his reservations about the present NC-Congress pre-poll alliance.

"I had my reservations about forging pre-poll alliance with the Congress, but it was the collective decision of the party and I accepted that.

"I know the deal is not profitable and it may prove unproductive for both the parties," Kamal said.

He said there were fundamental differences between the NC and the Congress over the grant of internal autonomy to the state which is one of the main priorities on the political agenda of his party.

"The primary issue of dealing with autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir is the main reason of confrontation between the coalition partners. There is difference of opinion among the members of the cabinet sub committee with regard to the recommendation for the restoration of autonomy," he disclosed.